Forever, the upcoming romance story from mega-producer Mara Brock Akil, is set to make its debut on Netflix this May.
The streamer released the first official images from the series on Wednesday, March 5, and announced the premiere date.
Based on Judy Blume’s 1975 young adult novel, Forever, the reimagined love story follows two Black teens exploring romance and their identities in 2018 Los Angeles.
Lovie Simone (Social Distance, Manhunt) and Michael Cooper (On the Come Up) lead the cast as teen athletes who experience love for the first time.
Related: Mara Brock Akil’s ‘Forever’ Trailer: Love Blossoms Between Teen Athletes
The star-studded cast also includes Karen Pittman (And Just Like That), Wood Harris (The Wire), and Xosha Roquemore (Cherish the Day).
Marvin Winans III, Niles Fitch, Barry Shabaka Henley, Ali Gallo, Adriyan Rae, Paigion Walker, Xavier Mills, and E’myri Crutchfield have roles in the series as well.
Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane) is creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer.
“Like its inspiration, the show will examine ‘the idea of your first love being with you forever,'” Brock Akil said in an interview with Netflix blog Tudum.
“I’ve always credited Judy Blume as part of the seasoning of my voice as a writer. She was one of the first writers I read that dared to be honest about the human condition in young people and you can see traces of her writing style within my own,” Brock Akil added.
Judy Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, Erika Harrison, Sara White, Regina King, Reina King, Shana C. Waterman, and Anthony Hemingway are also executive producers.
Forever begins streaming May 8 on Netflix. Below are details on the cast and their characters:
Lovie Simone as Keisha Clark
Keisha is a young, confident, smart, and fiery track star with big dreams for her life after high school.
Michael Cooper Jr. as Justin Edwards
Justin is a nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body. Justin dreams of playing D1 basketball and achieving more than his successful parents.
Karen Pittman as Dawn, Justin’s mother
Dawn is a college-educated, top executive in corporate finance. Her easy elegance belies her loving — yet paranoid — parenting style. Dawn may be strict sometimes, but her behavior is always out of love.
Wood Harris as Eric, Justin’s father
Eric is a restaurateur with a high school degree — and one from the school of life. He’s the more lenient parent who always ends up playing referee. Eric knows his son feels immense pressure to go on to higher education and not waste the head start his family has worked so hard to provide.
Xosha Roquemore as Shelly, Keisha’s mother
Shelly is no stranger to hard work and hard knocks. She’s never had a lot, but has always prioritized taking care of her family.
Marvin Lawrence Winans III as Jaden, Justin’s younger brother
Although he can be annoying, Jaden idolizes his big brother and enjoys any chance he gets to spend time with him.
Barry Shabaka Henley as George, Keisha’s grandfather
George is laid-back and looks out for his granddaughter. He acts as her surrogate father and protector — so George is ready to give Keisha advice and take an active interest in her life.
Ali Gallo as Chloe, Keisha’s best friend
Chloe is self-assured, outgoing, and can sometimes be in her own self-involved, naïve bubble. Still, she always has Keisha’s best interest at heart. Chloe is a popular girl who comes from wealth.
Niles Fitch as Darius, Justin’s best friend
He is athletic, charming, assertive, and focused on girls. Darius loves to offer what he thinks is sage advice to a more tentative and less confident Justin. Still, loyal Daris’ ultimate goal is to help Justin come out of his shell.
Paigion Walker as Tiffany, one of Keisha’s older cousins
She is a new mom and loves her new role. But beautiful and stylish Tiffany still clings onto her old life as much as possible — even if that means leaving for the bathroom to pump during a girls’ night out.
E’myri Crutchfield as Tammy, Keisha’s track rival
Tammy is confident, cute, and athletic. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to regain the No. 1 spot that Keisha now holds.
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