Forever cast interviews with Mara Brock Akil, Michael Cooper Jr, Lovie Simone, Wood Harris, Xosha Roquemore
Now streaming on Netflix is Mara Brock Akil's FOREVER - a modern day reimagining of Judy Blume's groundbreaking 1975 novel. The epic Black romance story set in the heart of Los Angeles.
The cast includes Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Karen Pittman, Wood Harris, Xosha Roquemore, Marvin Winans III, Niles Fitch, Barry Shabaka Henley, Ali Gallo, Adriyan Rae, Paigion Walker, Xavier Mills, Yusef Thomas, E’myri Crutchfield, and Will Catlett.
Executive Producers include Mara Brock Akil, Judy Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, Erika Harrison, Sara White, Regina King, Reina King, Shana C. Waterman and Anthony Hemingway.
The series is “an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.”
Directors include Regina King, Anthony Hemingway, Thembi Banks, and Mara Brock Akil.
Simone will star as Keisha Clark, described as “a young confident, smart, and fiery track star with clear dreams for life after high school.” Cooper will play Justin Edwards, “a young man who is a nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body. Justin dreams of playing D1 basketball and achieving more than his successful parents. Love will lead him to who he truly is.”
Wood Harris as Eric, Justin’s father. Eric is a restaurateur with a high school degree — and one from the school of life. He’s the more lenient parent who always ends up playing referee. Eric knows his son feels immense pressure to go on to higher education and not waste the head start his family has worked so hard to provide.
Eric has a good relationship with his son, and though he’s not as intense as his wife, he maintains clear boundaries. In 2018, Dawn and Eric are navigating parenting during a time of heightened awareness around the lack of safety for Black boys in America.
Xosha Roquemore as Shelly, Keisha’s mother. Shelly is no stranger to hard work and hard knocks. She’s never had a lot, but has always prioritized taking care of her family.
Blackfilmandtv.com’s Wilson Morales talks to Mara Brock Akil, Michael Cooper Jr, Lovie Simone, Wood Harris, Xosha Roquemore on Forever.
