Netflix just dropped a heavy hitter. Honestly, if you grew up reading Judy Blume, you probably had a mini-heart attack when you heard Mara Brock Akil was reimagining the 1975 classic Forever for a new generation. This isn't just a simple retelling. It's a modern, Los Angeles-set "epic Black romance" that feels way more grounded than the original 1970s vibe.
The cast of forever 2025 tv series is a massive part of why the show actually works. It's a mix of faces you've definitely seen on HBO or Apple TV+ and a few newcomers who are basically about to be everywhere.
The Leads: Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr.
You’ve got to start with Keisha and Justin.
Lovie Simone plays Keisha Clark. She’s 26 in real life, but she captures that high school track star energy perfectly. Keisha is smart, confident, and has her eyes locked on an athletic scholarship to Howard. If Simone looks familiar, you probably caught her in Greenleaf or the indie hit Selah and the Spades. She has this way of being "fiery" and vulnerable at the exact same time, which is kind of the whole point of a first-love story.
Then there’s Michael Cooper Jr. as Justin Edwards.
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This is essentially his big breakout. Justin is described as a "nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body." He plays basketball because he has to—his parents are high-achievers—but he’s actually obsessed with making music and anime. Cooper brings this quiet, trapped feeling to the role that makes you want to root for him to finally stand up to his family.
The Parents: A Powerhouse Supporting Cast
One thing this show does better than the book is fleshing out the adults. They didn't just cast anyone; they brought in heavyweights.
Karen Pittman plays Dawn Edwards, Justin's mom. She’s a corporate finance executive and a total "helicopter parent." Pittman is basically TV royalty at this point after The Morning Show and And Just Like That. She plays Dawn as the breadwinner who is terrified her son will waste his potential.
Wood Harris stars as Eric Edwards, Justin's dad. He’s the "yin to Dawn’s yang." He's a chef, way more chill, and tries to give Justin room to breathe. Seeing the guy who played Avon Barksdale in The Wire play a relaxed, supportive suburban dad is a trip, but it works so well.
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On Keisha's side, you have Xosha Roquemore as Shelly. She’s a no-nonsense single mom working multiple jobs. Unlike the Edwards family, Shelly and Keisha have struggled a bit more, and that tension between the "wealthy" family and the "working-class" family adds a layer the original novel didn't really have. Roquemore was hilarious in The Mindy Project, but here she gets to show some real dramatic teeth.
The Friends and Rivals
You can't have a teen drama without the "ride-or-dies" and the "haters." Basically, the social circle is what makes the 2018 Los Angeles setting feel real.
- Niles Fitch (Darius): Justin’s best friend. You know him as young Randall from This Is Us. He’s the one who first tells Justin about the rumors following Keisha.
- Ali Gallo (Chloe): Keisha’s best friend. She’s the social butterfly of the group and the one who hosts the party where the leads reconnect.
- E'myri Crutchfield (Tammy): The track rival. Every track star needs a nemesis, right?
- Xavier Mills (Christian): Keisha’s ex-boyfriend. He’s another basketball player and serves as the ghost of Keisha's past that she's trying to outrun.
Why the Casting Matters for This Adaptation
The cast of forever 2025 tv series had a huge job. They had to take a book that was controversial in the 70s for its frank talk about sex and make it relevant for 2025. By casting an all-Black lead ensemble, Mara Brock Akil changed the context. It’s not just about "losing it" anymore; it’s about identity, class, and the pressure of being a "perfect" Black teen in a world that’s waiting for you to mess up.
Regina King actually directed the first episode. That tells you the level of talent we're dealing with here.
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The show was filmed across Los Angeles in 2024, and the chemistry between Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. is the reason people are already asking about Season 2 (which, by the way, Netflix already renewed just days after the May 8, 2025 premiere).
What to Watch Next
If you've already binged all eight episodes and need more of this cast, here is where to find them.
Check out Selah and the Spades on Amazon Prime to see Lovie Simone play a much darker version of a high school leader. If you want to see Karen Pittman at her best, her run on The Morning Show is essential. For Wood Harris, you honestly can't go wrong with Remember the Titans or Creed.
The best way to appreciate the work they did in Forever is to go back and look at the 1978 TV movie version. The contrast is wild. You’ll see exactly how much more depth the 2025 crew brought to these characters.