Netflix’s Forever, a contemporary reimagining of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel, has captivated audiences since its premiere on May 8, 2025. Set in 2019 Los Angeles, the series follows Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.), two Black teenagers who reconnect during their senior year of high school and embark on an intense romance. The show delves into themes of first love, identity, and the complexities of adolescence in the digital age.

The first season concludes with Keisha heading to Howard University and Justin taking a gap year to pursue music, leaving fans eager for more. Responding to the show’s success and critical acclaim, Netflix officially renewed Forever for a second season on May 14, 2025. Showrunner Mara Brock Akil expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Season 2 is our love letter back to the people who said, ‘Yes, this is for me.’ We’re honored, we’re excited, and we’re ready to go even deeper”.

Social media platforms have been abuzz with reactions to the series:

• On Threads, one user shared, “Forever on Netflix is so adorable so far. I’m just kicking up my feet and giggling.”
• Another Threads user commented, “Yo the ‘Forever’ series on Netflix was pretty damn solid.”
• An Instagram post from Netflix read, “An instant classic. FOREVER is now playing on Netflix.”
• A Reddit user praised the series, saying, “I just finished watching it and my oh my! What a beautiful story! From the reality of what it’s like to be in love at a young age… I loved every single bit of it!”
• Another Redditor expressed a different perspective: “I’m watching now and disappointed, not by the show, but the classification as an adaptation of Forever. Judy Blume was my fav author… This show has nothing to do with the damn book.”
• Entertainment Tonight tweeted: “‘Forever’s Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. react to the heartbreaking finale of the Judy Blume adaptation, out now on Netflix.”

With its nuanced portrayal of young love and identity, Forever continues to resonate with viewers, and anticipation builds for the stories that Season 2 will unfold.