Netflix viewers rush to watch 'exceptional' drama based on Judy Blume novel
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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.
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
'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.
'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.
'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' More Trending
'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.
View More »
A version of this article was originally published on May 6, 2025.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: 'Biggest free agent on the planet' causes chaos in WWE Backlash debut
MORE: This controversial TV episode 'almost killed the world's biggest show' 15 years ago
MORE: Netflix's latest 'charming' film with 'giant heart' is your ultimate weekend watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
30 minutes ago
- Metro
Tearful Nicole Scherzinger finally wins first Tony after 15 years in theatre
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Nicole Scherzinger broke down in tears as she finally won her first Tony Award at the 2025 ceremony. The 46-year-old former Pussycat Dolls star, whose first major theatre role was in a 2010 production of Rent at the Hollywood Bowl, accepted the best leading actress in a musical prize for her performance as Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd. She began her speech: 'First of all, I just have to thank God, for carrying me every step of the way. I give you all the glory… 'I'm so honoured to be recognised alongside these exceptional warrior women in this category. 'I want to thank you all so much for making this little Hawaiian/ Ukrainian/ Filipino girl's dream come true. So proud to represent.' 'Growing up I always felt like I didn't belong, but you all have made me feel like I belong, and I have come home at last,' she continued. Referencing her fiance Thom Evans, she said that he 'believes in me when I forget to believe in myself'. And Scherzy also gave a shout-out to Andrew Lloyd Webber, saying: 'It's happened, Andrew!' The Olivier Award-winner – who beat six-time six-time Tony winner and Gypsy star Audra McDonald – added: 'It has been such an honor to be able to create with you the past 15 years.' Nicole described her triumph as 'testament that love always wins', while urging people to chase their dreams. She ended her speech saying: 'If there's anyone out there who feels like they don't belong, or your time hasn't come, don't give up. Just keep on giving and giving, because the world needs your love and your light now more than ever. 'This is a testament that love always wins. Thank you so much. God Bess you.' Sunset Blvd. was also honoured with awards for best revival of a musical and lighting design. 'It's just fantastic for me to see the old shows rethought and reworked,' composer Lloyd Webber said on stage. Elsewhere at the ceremony, Cole Escola beat competition from the likes of George Clooney to become the first non-binary winner of the leading actor in a play prize More Trending Their performance as Mary Todd Lincoln in period comedy Oh, Mary! – which they wrote – was enough to see off the Hollywood star, whose Broadway adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck didn't win any of its five nominations. Robot romance musical Maybe Happy Ending took home six wins, including best musical, while Darren Criss won the leading actor in a musical prize. The show also took home the best original score prize, as well as musical awards for direction, book, and scenic design. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: George Clooney has the perfect response after being ambushed by journalists MORE: The 2025 Rich List reveals wealthiest people in the UK — who's on it?
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Hollyoaks confirms dark Clare Devine twist as teens are chilled to the bone
Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Monday's (June 9) episode that is now available to view on Channel 4 streaming. The episode in question will air on E4 on at 7pm. Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix) proved that she's just as evil as ever, delivering a bone-chilling threat to Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass), Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) and Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence). The legendary soap villain, who staged a historic comeback 'from the dead' earlier this month, tracked the teens down to 67 Christleton Terrace, determined to ensure they keep shtum about the details of their trafficking ordeal. Walking into the property in her signature red high heels, Clare removed pictures of Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi), Nancy Osborne (Jessica Fox) and Donny Clark (Louis Emerick) from her handbag, informing the trio that she has 'eyes and ears' everywhere. Frankie, Dillon and Vicky reeled in shock as Clare ordered them to keep quiet about her and Grace Black's (Tamara Wall) roles in their exploitation nightmare, otherwise she would make them – and their families – 'disappear.' The unsettling threat came just hours after Clare revealed to the village that she's alive and well – despite the fact that everyone who dwells in Hollyoaks believed her to be dead. It seems that living in the shadows has hardened Clare further, with the character having been pulling much of the strings of the trafficking operation. And her ruthlessness is something that Grace is set to find out the hard way, with Clare hellbent on revenge after she discovers her sister gave Tori back to the Blakes. Discussing what's to come, actress Gemma Bissix told Metro: 'Grace says she let Tori go to the shops on her own and the Blakes have just snatched her. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! 'And then there is a lovely and really emotional scene where Grace has a load of regret – she looks at Clare, having not realised how much she cares about Tori: 'You've never cared about anyone but yourself'. More Trending 'When Clare finds out from Dodger that Grace was the one who gave Tori to them, that is when Clare turns into Clare.' Consider us intrigued . View More » Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4's streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: All 25 soap spoilers for next week as Emmerdale confirms John police twist MORE: All Hollyoaks spoilers for next week as character death is confirmed MORE: The Hollyoaks moment Grace Black is arrested – but an unexpected outcome follows
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Emmerdale reveals tragic Cain update in ITVX streaming release
The following article contains spoilers from an episode of Emmerdale that hasn't aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX. Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) continued to face Tracy Shankley's (Amy Walsh) angry wrath as a new week began in Emmerdale. Last week, Cain discovered that his son Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter) had been murdered and understandably, he struggled to process the news. Prior to his death, Nate had a fight with Cain over the rumour he was sleeping with Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb). He was then killed by John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), but his family believed that he had gone to Shetland. Cain eventually gave up on Nate, accepting that he no longer wanted anything to do with his family in the village and little girl Frankie. Of course, learning the truth about his son has made Cain feel utterly terrible – and matters have been made even worse due to Tracy accusing him of killing Nate. John was questioned by the detective in tonight's episode, but it wasn't because he had been accused of murder. He managed to back up Cain's story from Nate's final day in the village, revealing he went to the hospital immediately after the barn fire to see Moira, who had been caught up in the ordeal. More Trending It added fuel to the theory that Cain was innocent but it wasn't enough to sway Tracy. Throughout the entire instalment, she remained convinced that Cain killed his own son. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! That afternoon, John found Cain at the garage attempting to fix a bike. The beloved character broke down and admitted that it feels like he can't grieve for Nate because of Tracy and the constant police interference. John asserted that the police would be off Cain's back soon, and then spied Frankie's playhouse in the garden of Tracy's. An idea forming, John will soon plant Nate's phone in Frankie's playhouse. The police will search the premises and find the phone, therefore taking the heat off Cain and putting it onto Tracy instead. View More » MORE: Another huge Nate discovery is made in Emmerdale that turns everything on its head MORE: The police corner Vanessa in huge Emmerdale murder story MORE: Emmerdale confirms major Nate news in ITVX release – and it changes everything for the 'suspects'
