‘Forever’: Netflix Orders Series Based on Judy Blume’s Novel
Judy Blume’s groundbreaking 1975 novel Forever is being reimagined for a new generation and as a Netflix series.
The streaming service has ordered Forever to series, from showrunner and executive producer Mara Brock Akil (The Game, Girlfriends). This is the first project under her overall deal with Netflix. It is described as “an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts.”
Said Brock Akil in a statement, “Judy Blume’s ability to capture the real emotions we experience during the various rites of passage of our youth influenced my life choices and writing voice. I’m honored to reimagine one of my favorite books, Forever. I am thrilled to have the opportunity of a lifetime to partner with a childhood icon and bring this story to my Netflix home, where the idea of your first love being with you Forever is shared with the world through the lens of Black love.”
Added Renate Radford, Vice President, Overall Deals, Netflix, “We are excited to partner with Mara Brock Akil and Story27 on our first series, Forever. Mara’s creative and authentic storytelling allows us to present a fresh take on an iconic coming-of-age love story. We look forward to bringing the series to a global audience.”
Joining Brock Akil as executive producers on the drama are Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, and Erika Harrison.
Blume’s novel was previously adapted as a TV movie for CBS in 1978 and starred Stephanie Zimbalist, Dean Butler, John Friedrich, Beth Raines, and Diana Scarwid.
Conversation9 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
G
Is there no end to the appropriation of works created by white imagination and making it black? Are black authors incapable of creating inspirational content? Stop stealing what isn't yours.
6 3
-
G
Look at precolonial sub-Saharan history; no engineering, architecture, mathematics, written language etc. You do the math.
5
-
O
Romans were building aqueducts while sub-Saharans were running around in loincloths and fighting with sharp sticks. They are less evolved.
2 1
-
B
That's a masterpiece of understatement. Scientific studies prove that black IQs range from 70 to 100, about 30 points below other races.
1
-
-
-
-
G
Well I'm tired of racism....so....yeah.
1
-
G
Ouch! Might want to consider how the racial oppression people of color have experienced in the past and present affect them my friend. There are two kinds: Primary oppression involves direct, external control by a visible oppressor, while secondary oppression comes from within, as the oppressed internalize harmful messages and continue the cycle themselves.In primary oppression, fear of punishment silences people, whereas in secondary oppression, internalized shame and self-hate perpetuate the damage.Just some food for thought.
Cheers!
1
-
G
This is great! Censorship not so much. I think it’s fantastic that it’ll be black teens 💚
1
-
O
Tired of blackwashing. Pass.
3 3
-
O
This merely exacerbates racism. Until and unless POCs produce their own relevant material they will not achieve equality. And until black culture evolves into more acceptable mores that don't deprive black children of stable home lives, blacks will be considered less than equal.
1 2
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services