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The big-hearted Forever does teen romance right

Judy Blume's controversial classic gets an inspired TV makeover.

By Meredith Hobbs Coons | May 8, 2025 | 10:00am

Photo: Elizabeth Morris/Netflix

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The big-hearted Forever does teen romance right

Sure, it’s fine when a character gets their teeth knocked out on the school playground in a YA book, but when a young couple has to contend with premature ejaculation in their story, some people get all mad. At least that’s what Judy Blume came to realize when her 1975 teen romance novel Forever… stoked controversy upon its release and spent years on banned-books lists. Luckily, for many readers, it was a formative text, preparing them for sexual experiences to come that the adults in their world didn’t have the language, or guts, to dig into with them. Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends, Moesha) was an admirer of the book, and now, with the release of her eight-episode adaptation of Forever on Netflix (which counts Regina King as one of its directors and EPs), audiences can be treated to the poignant tale through her unique lens, one that highlights Black culture and incorporates modern technology to update its themes for today’s teens.

The adolescent lovebirds in question are Keisha Clark and Justin Edwards, two high-school athletes, who rekindle a childhood friendship at a New Year’s Eve bash and usher in 2018 with a quick and passionate kiss. Their mansion-party meet-cute (reacquaint-cute?) is glamorous. Sampled strings swell, white lights create a hazy and cinematic glow, and there’s even a fountain beside them (a fondue fountain, but still). Keisha and Justin are portrayed with heart by Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr., and the spark they share is a bright one. Their flirtation is witty, their sexual chemistry is palpable yet playful, and their connection feels at once like a magnetic pull and a homecoming when they find each other.

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One thing is clear from the start: These children are cherished. Not only are the two leads compelling in and of themselves, cute as buttons and charming as hell, but their powerful relationships with the supporting characters further underscore their preciousness as people. Keisha’s mom Shelly (Xosha Roquemore) works two jobs to ensure that her kid can attend the private high school that will boost the track star’s scholarship odds. Coming home from a night shift, Shelly kneels at the foot of Keisha’s bed to pray for her daughter’s well being and to give thanks for the girl. Though her dad is off playing baseball in the Dominican Republic, his father (her Grandpa George) is there at every turn, popping by for dinner when her mom is off working and picking her up at 4 a.m. to run drills with her. Even her older cousins Tiffany and Brittany dote on her, braid her hair, and attend every event that matters. Her success is their success, and sometimes she takes on more responsibility for maintaining their happiness than she reasonably should.

Meanwhile, in the tradition of many love stories, Justin’s parents are on the wealthier side of the equation. They provide their son with all of the tutoring and additional basketball training they can arrange to give him the best chance of achieving their dream for him to attend Northwestern University (and build an NBA career from there). Because their boy has ADHD—this is something Forever specifically (and refreshingly) addresses, and there is also speculation that he may be on the autism spectrum—they remain heavily involved, attending meetings with his counselor, hovering to ensure that he completes his college applications by their deadlines, and taking him to train in Compton to build his basketball skills.

Beyond academics, they ensure access to culturally rich experiences, like summers in the Oak Bluffs area of Martha’s Vineyard, a brand-new car to safely drive around his senior year, family dinners, and abundant praise. One of the clearest narrative indicators of this family’s bond is a scene in which the high schooler finds some GarageBand beats he had composed on his mom’s old computer and immediately and proudly shows his parents as they relax in bed. Man, a teenager really has to like you to do that. Clearly, Justin has some people-pleasing tendencies, too. Neither teen wants to risk losing the love or respect of their adoring families, as much as they want to be together—and be themselves.

These narrative and character elements, however, would mean nothing without stellar performances to bring them to life. The actors are exceptional here, including Wood Harris (The Wire), who plays Justin’s calm and cool restaurateur dad; the great Barry Shabaka Henley (Ali) as Grandpa George; and the spirited Karen Pittman (The Americans) as Dawn, Justin’s mother. And the main pair command the screen without ever being over the top, even as they embody love in that big-feelings, teenage sense of the word.

The competing themes in this story are as timely as they are beautifully rendered: On one hand, there is protection—and on the other, fate. With Black teenagers’ safety remaining an issue in the United States—historically, in 2017, and today—it makes sense that the parents of both Keisha and Justin would be as preoccupied as they are with coaxing their children toward decisions, academic or romantic, that will set these kids up to lead more comfortable, risk-free lives. Their strategies do tend to differ—some provide clear instructions to guide them through difficult situations, while others seek to prevent these things from occurring at all—but the impulse is the same. And it’s not only the parents who are protective of their children: The teens strive to shield their elders from any degree of disappointment or shame that dumb-kid mistakes could inspire.

Everyone seems to be trying to protect the ones they love—and themselves—from hurt. Simultaneously, that this season ends with the teens graduating in 2019 is especially indicative of the limitations of what a person can reasonably be protected from, given that the following year the pandemic upended everyone’s plans. (Inevitability and prevention form a rich, real tension throughout the series.)

It’s uplifting to see a romance—teen or otherwise—as genuine as Forever. The kids make their mistakes, of course, but their relationship remains fairly healthy overall: Blocked numbers are unblocked, apologies are made, and the pair’s earnest lack of game playing is striking. Here’s hoping this can be a positive relationship model for real teens to reference as they figure it all out.

Forever premieres May 8 on Netflix