Forever reimagines Judy Blume’s banned book for modern audiences | Canada Voices

Judy Blume wrote Forever in 1975 for her 14-year-old daughter, who wanted to read about teens who had sex without anything bad happening to them. So naturally, the story, which taught an entire generation about healthy sexual relationships, was also frequently banned in schools and libraries, piquing more interest and inspiring a 1978 film of the same name.

Fast forward to 2025, and teens are savvier than ever. The sexualization of teen girls is a very real thing, leading to pressure, misconceptions and conversations about protecting minors. Buzzy shows such as Euphoria explore the topic through a drug-fuelled haze, while teen characters on Riverdale equate being sexual with feminism.

Over at Netflix, a different narrative is taking shape. Building on a base of sex-positive teen series such as I Am Not Okay With This, Sex Education, Never Have I Ever and Atypical is a brand-new iteration of Forever, one that re-examines the ideas from Blume’s novel 50 years later.

Forever hails from acclaimed showrunner and creator Mara Brock Akil, whose resume includes credits such as Girlfriends, The Game and Being Mary Jane. Over eight episodes she picks up the nostalgic beauty of teen romance and first loves, and sets them against the backdrop of 2018 L.A. It’s still a story of two teens discovering themselves and each other, but Brock Akil deftly tackles themes like social media, peer pressure, parental expectations and the Black experience during that era.

The premiere, which was directed by Regina King, picks up with Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) attending a mostly white party thrown by someone at his school. He meets Keisha (Lovie Simone) there, a teen he used to go to grade school with from a poorer part of town. From there a sweet story unfolds, and the pair slowly swap their carefully curated exteriors for vulnerability and trust.

As anyone who has read the novel knows, this isn’t necessarily a story about forever. But, when you’re in love with that first special person in your life, they become your everything. It’s easy to believe they will be your forever, making the stakes incredibly high. The series captures these moments beautifully with sunny cinematography and a script brought to life by the two leads, whose story you can’t help but invest in – no matter your age.

Even as Justin and Keisha get to know each other and their relationship progresses with sizzling chemistry, it’s never sexualized. These are kids who are awkwardly figuring things out and doing their best to balance this newfound love with family, friends and sports. It’s confusing and messy and beautiful and real. In capturing those multitudes, the series speaks to a real demographic that’s hungry for this kind of content.

Parents and romance lovers also have reason to tune in as the nostalgic beats remind you of a more innocent time. The strong parental system each kid has also stands out. At Justin’s house that includes his mother, Dawn (The Morning Show‘s Karen Pittman), who wants the best for her child but struggles with her own anxieties, and his dad, Eric (Wood Harris), who keeps the peace while doling out sage fatherly advice. Over at Keisha’s, her hardworking mom Shelly (Xosha Roquemore) is rounded out by her loving grandfather George (Barry Shabaka Henley).

Watching this show, with strong performances, a solid soundtrack and romantic undertones, feels like curling up under a warm blanket on a rainy day. By the end of the season, you’re left wanting more, with an ending grounded in reality much like the novel. Whether that comes remains to be seen, but as far as sex-positive stories for teens who have enough fast growing up to do in this world already, Forever is a needed addition to the TV landscape.