Cliff Notes – Netflix viewers rush to watch ‘exceptional’ drama based on Judy Blume novel
- The new teen drama Forever, based on Judy Blume’s 1975 novel, has quickly become one of the most-watched shows in the UK, praised for its modern portrayal of first love between two Black teens.
- Critics highlight the series as a significant representation of Black romance in the young adult genre, addressing contemporary challenges faced by Black youth while maintaining the essence of the original story.
Netflix viewers rush to watch ‘exceptional’ drama based on Judy Blume novel
A new teen drama has become one of the most-watched shows in the UK since being released on Netflix a few days ago.
Based on bestselling author Judy Blume’s 1975 novel of the same name, Forever follows ‘the epic love story of two Black teens, Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) as they explore their identities through the awkward and moving journey of being each other’s capital-F Firsts’.
The 50-year-old tale (from the same writer as coming-of-age classics such as Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret) offers a heartfelt, modernised portrayal of first love – and all the complications that come with it.
As the two athletes fall hard for each other, life has a way of throwing curveballs the loved-up couple will have to try to weather them together. And just how will this head-over-heels romance impact the rest of their lives?
‘Forever, on Netflix, is a warm, fluffy and extremely watchable show that is relatable in every sense of the term,’ LeisureByte.com wrote in its review.
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‘While it encompasses all the butterflies and betrayals of first love, ‘Forever’ also tells a deeper story about the challenges and heartache of raising exceptional Black kids in our fraught modern era,’ Entertainment Weekly shared.
Netflix viewers are rushing to watch the series Forever (Picture: Elizabeth Morris/Netflix)
‘Forever offers something rarely seen on television (or anywhere): a whole, nuanced and exceptional showcase of first love through the eyes of two young Black people,’ Variety added.
Meanwhile viewers called the show, currently number 3 on Netflix UK, ‘phenomenal’, ‘stellar’ and ‘captivating’.
Before it was released, others also shared their verdict after watching early episodes.
‘As someone who has seen all eight episodes: PREPARE TO SWOON,’ artan_ayan wrote on X.
And many fans are totally hyped for what’s to come.
‘I just know this show is gonna make me cry,’ reignmara said.
‘This already looks better than I expected. PREPARE TO BE SICK OF MEEEE,’ lacyctrl added about the trailer.
‘Y’all im like sobbing i cant believe this,’ chaoticblk girl echoed.
Many are also praising the show for centring two Black leads in a genre where they are often underrepresented.
‘Whether you’re a fan of young adult television or not I really need everyone tap into this because it is so rare for us to get authentic black romance stories these days, especially for black teenagers,’ poptotheorryy said.
‘We’re really getting a Black YA romantic series on Netflix? like it’s actually happening and not a wishful fancast,’ tabbyfaran agreed.
Over on YouTube, teeewilliams shared: ‘This is IT. THISSSS is what we need — a Black teen romcom.’
‘I just realised that is the first time I’ve seen a young black romance story like this, we really need more of these,’ wonderluck-089 commented on YouTube.
It’s a 21st-century take on the popular novel (Picture: Elizabeth Morris/ Netflix)
‘Why did I get emotional watching this?! We hardly see ourselves in this genre, Definitely watching!,’ s.warner6046 added.
‘I NEEDED THIS LIKE YESTERDAY!!! VERY excited for a black teen romance story!’jaya8664 shared.
‘It is gratifying to know that, 50 years after its release, the love story at the core of Forever is still resonating with audiences,’ told Tudum about seeing the popular 70s novel come to life.
‘All the questions we have to sort through — the first time you have sex, your first kiss, the first time you say ‘I love you’ — it resonated then, and it resonates now,’ Mara agreed.
Discussing how she brought this love story into the 21st century, Mara told The Telegraph that she had to figure out a way to bring the modern problem of technology on children’s innocence and changing position of women into the plot.
As a mother to two sons, she found her way in through the vulnerability of ‘young Black mean’
‘I find it heartbreaking that before you can talk to them about the birds and the bees, you have to introduce the idea of rape.
‘You have to help them navigate all these complexities around language and behaviour, and that’s before they’ve figured out if the girl even likes them. So, once I’d realised that was how we could tell the story, we were off to the races,’ she explained.
Forever is streaming on Netflix.
A version of this article was originally published on May 6, 2025.