At a time when authentic portrayals of young Black love are still few and far between, Netflix’s “Forever” offers a refreshing and heartfelt portrayal of first love. Through its setting and reimagined context, “Forever” tells a story that’s not only about love, but about what it means to be young, Black, and striving – for freedom, for connection, and for a future that feels like it belongs to you.

Created by Mara Brock Akil and inspired by Judy Blume’s beloved 1975 novel, the eight-episode series transports the classic coming-of-age story to 2018 Los Angeles, following Keisha Clark, a determined track star, and Justin Edwards, a reserved music lover, as they navigate love, identity, and the complexities of growing up.

Unlike a lot of teen dramas that are packed with drama and trauma just for the sake of it, “Forever” takes its time, allowing the relationship between Lovie Simone’s Keisha and Michael Cooper Jr. ‘s Justin to unfold with gentle authenticity. Their connection feels real and sweet, capturing the honest, sometimes awkward beauty of young love. 

Both actors shine in their roles, bringing depth and vulnerability to each scene. Their on-screen chemistry is one of the show’s greatest strengths – emotionally rich, believable, and tender. From hesitant flirtation to moments of deep emotional intimacy, they allow viewers to experience the tension, joy, and uncertainty of first love without ever overplaying it.

On a CBS Mornings Show interview Simone told interviews that she and her co-star Cooper, deliberately stayed away from each other mostly for the first and second episodes to authentically build their relationship just as their character did in the actual series.

What truly makes the series “Forever” is how it portrays Black teens with care and complexity. The show acknowledges the real pressures they face – school, family, and the weight of growing up Black in America – while still centering their joy. Its heartfelt depiction is a refreshing and necessary addition to today’s media, offering viewers a mirror of their own experiences and an inspiring vision of love’s transformative power, as noted by LA Times reporter Robert Lloyd. 

“Forever” doesn’t just tell a love story, it gives Black teens and families the kind of emotional depth and screen time they’ve long deserved – all while juggling school pressures, shifting friendships, and their families’ expectations.

“Forever” becomes even more impactful by shifting the story from 1970s white, suburban New Jersey to 2018 Los Angeles – a city rich with Black culture and layered realities. This setting doesn’t just update the narrative; it re-centers it through the lens of modern Black adolescence. 

Visually, L.A. is more than a backdrop – it’s woven into the characters’ lives, from sunlit track fields to modest homes and corner stores. The show’s warm cinematography and quiet, intimate moments mirror the tenderness of Keisha and Justin’s relationship, grounding the story in a world that feels authentic, lived-in, and deeply Black.

This change grounds “Forever” in a more layered social and racial reality. Keisha and Justin aren’t just falling in love – they’re doing so in a world that often demands they grow up too fast. The show doesn’t make this the focus, but it’s always present: in the conversations with their parents, in how they move through public spaces, and in the weight of being seen. 

At the same time, the series is deeply rooted in community and family. Their homes aren’t just physical spaces – they’re emotional battlegrounds, support systems, and places where identity is shaped.

“Forever” deepens its emotional landscape through rich intergenerational dynamics, with parental figures playing a far more central role than in Blume’s original novel. Wood Harris brings warmth and quiet strength as Justin’s father, modeling healthy masculinity, while Karen Pittman adds nuance and compassion as his mother. Xosha Roquemore stands out as Keisha’s fiercely protective yet emotionally burdened mom. 

Keisha and Justin come from very different home environments. Those differences shape how they communicate, how they love, and what they fear. The show also taps into the weight of parental expectations: how past generational wounds, and hopes, influence how Black parents raise their children – especially when it comes to love, independence, and safety.

These parents aren’t just background characters – they help ground the story in a fuller, more authentic portrayal of Black life, one that includes not just struggle, but also hope, heart, and resilience. By centering both the challenges and joys of Black family life, “Forever” reminds viewers that healing and joy are just as vital to storytelling as pain and trauma.

By fleshing out these adult characters, “Forever” paints a fuller picture of Black family life. The intergenerational dynamics offer insight into how love, discipline, and vulnerability are passed down, and sometimes withheld, within Black households. The result is a cast of characters who feel real, layered, and worth rooting for at every level.

Technology and social media also play a subtle but important role in the series, reflecting how today’s teens communicate, flirt, and sometimes misunderstand each other. Screenshots, text threads, and Instagram posts aren’t just background details, they become part of how the characters express themselves and face conflict. These elements are handled with nuance, showing both the ways tech can bring people together and create distance.

Staying true to Blume’s original approach, “Forever” tackles sex, consent, and boundaries with clarity and care, offering frank, thoughtful conversations rarely seen in teen media – especially with Black characters. The show doesn’t just include these moments, it prioritizes them, showing that discussions around consent can be natural, loving, and empowering. 

By weaving these themes into the story, “Forever” honors Blume’s legacy while carving out a new and necessary space for Black youth to see themselves reflected with truth and tenderness.

The soundtrack (featuring artists like Solange, SZA, and Frank Ocean) beautifully complements this tone, weaving hip-hop, R&B, and soul into the emotional fabric of the story. These artistic choices work together to create a world where young Black love is portrayed with honesty, depth, and without stereotype or spectacle. As LA Times critic Lloyd put it, it’s not just a teen romance – it’s the kind of emotional depth and screen time Black teens and families have always deserved.

Perhaps most importantly, “Forever” offers a kind of representation that still feels too rare. It gives Black teens the space to simply be – to fall in love, to be awkward, to be hopeful, to be afraid – without trauma being the center of their story. This centering of joy, complexity, and emotional care is what makes “Forever” not only powerful, but necessary.

“Forever” stands out for its rare and refreshing portrayal of young Black love with tenderness and realism, free from the usual framing of trauma or dysfunction. It offers something both beautiful and necessary: a love story that feels authentic, full, and long overdue.

With standout performances, emotional nuance, and a visual and sonic landscape that feels both modern and timeless, “Forever” is a show worth watching. It offers representation that feels overdue and necessary, and it invites viewers into a story where Black love and joy are centered without compromise.

“Forever” is a heartfelt and beautifully executed portrayal of first love – quiet in its delivery but profound in its impact. It invites Black teens to see themselves reflected not in pain, but in joy, awkwardness, and emotional depth. With standout performances and a clear-eyed commitment to authenticity, “Forever” doesn’t just update Judy Blume’s story, it redefines what teen love stories can be.

And the story isn’t over. With season two officially announced, viewers can look forward to watching Keisha and Justin’s journey continue – bringing even more growth, love, and emotional truth to a series that has already set a new standard for teen romance.