By Hope Sloop

Judy Blume’s iconic and controversial novel is getting a new spin thanks to Mara Brock Akil, best known for her work on Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane, and The Game. In the 2025 version of Forever, Lovie Simone plays Keisha and Michael Cooper Jr. plays Justin, two lovelorn teens who mark their first sexual explorations together in their junior and senior years of high school. Like the eponymous book the show is based on, Forever does not shy away from addressing some of the more awkward parts of being a teen, including first dates, awkward sexual encounters, jealousy, and miscommunications over texts and social media. While updated for 2025, the story still feels universal and will be one that every viewer will be able to relate to in one way or another.

Photo: Elizabeth Morris/Netflix