Adriyan Rae, star of Paramount+’s The Game, has boarded Forever, a new series from Netflix. Pitched as a re-imagining of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel of the same name, Forever will follow two Black teens who explore their identities through themselves and each other as they navigate being each other’s “forever” in 2018 LA. The Netflix series hails from creator Mara Brock Akil, whose past works include projects exploring Black love and growth like Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane. Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Karen Pittman, and Wood Harris will also star.
Adriyan Rae Joins Netflix’s Adaptation of ‘Forever’
Published in 1975, Judy Blume‘s Forever tells the story of Katherine and Michael, a young couple in love. Katherine assumes their love will last forever after she loses her virginity to Michael and the two grow more intimate, but their plans are interrupted as they’re separated for summer vacation. Despite her attempts otherwise, Katherine finds herself falling for someone else, leading her and Michael to question what “forever” with another person really means.
Netflix’s new adaptation of Forever puts a modern spin on the novel’s premise, setting the story in 2018 Los Angeles. Katherine and Michael are now Keisha Clark and Justin Edwards, two Black teens embarking on the epic, twisting journey of being each other’s “firsts.” Keisha, a fiery young track star, will be played by Lovie Simone (Manhunt), while Michael Cooper Jr. (The Inhabitant) will star as basketball player Justin Edwards. Karen Pittman (The Morning Show) will appear as Justin’s mother Dawn, and Wood Harris (Creed III) will portray Justin’s father Eric.
Adriyan Rae, star of The Game on Paramount+, will be joining the cast as Brittany, one of Keisha’s older cousins, a social climber who has Keisha’s best interests at heart and a sarcastic wit. Some of her other roles include Gianna Mackey in Chicago Fire, Elida in Vagrant Queen, and Peri Boudreaux in Light as a Feather. She was nominated for a 2022 Black Reel Award for Television after her appearance in Donald Glover’s series Atlanta.
Netflix’s Forever hails from Mara Brock Akil, producer of The Game, Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane and Black Lightning, among others. Regina King, Judy Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, Erika Harrison, Sara White, and Shana Waterman will executive produce the new series.
