"Our love letter back to the people": Forever showrunner Mara Brock Akil on Season 2 renewal of Netflix's latest teen drama 

Netflix's Forever is a modern reimagining of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel. According to reports, it has been renewed for a season 2 just a week after its debut on May 8, 2025. The story of this adaptation follows high schoolers Keisha Clark and Justin Edwards. They fall in love for the first time in the age of social media and online chatting.

Set in 2018 Los Angeles, the show explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and emotional growth. Season 1 ended with Keisha and Justin's breakup as Keisha leaves for Howard University and Justin pursues his music career. In an interview with Tudum, Netflix, Mara Brock Akil describes the show as their "love letter back to the people." She added,

"a love letter to our boys who deserve to be soft, to our girls who dare to be bold, and to Los Angeles—the city that raised me, held me, and showed me love in all its forms."

She expressed pride in the series and its storytellers, hoping it resonates with audiences as much as it did with her. Read on to know what more she said about the renewal.

Here is what Akil said about Forever renewal for its season 2

In the interview with Tudum, while announcing season 2, she expressed that Forever is a love letter to people who approved of the show and liked it.

“Season 2 is our love letter back to the people who said, ‘Yes, this is for me.’ We’re honoured, we’re excited, and we’re ready to go even deeper. Thank you to Netflix — Season 2 is coming soon!”

She also added that Keisha and Justin's breakup stems from Keisha's understanding that she can make her family financially stronger.

“She knows and accepts that she is the one who can make the economic difference in her family’s legacy,” says Brock Akil. “I thought about the Keishas out there who think that they cannot be less than one mistake. You've got to have the top grades, be the fastest runner, and get to one of the best schools in the country.”

Justin suffers from ADHD and is confused about what he wants to do in life, while his parents want him to go to Northwestern University, using his good grades and basketball to get there.

More importantly, his real passion is music—he makes beats and loves creating. Through his relationship with Keisha, he gains the confidence and clarity to communicate this to his parents.

The show also reflects some of the issues, particularly of Black teenagers, while being part of a predominantly white space or dealing with social media. Michael Cooper Jr, who plays Justin, emphasised how the role taught him self-love.

“[The show] really taught me the importance of self-love,” says Cooper Jr. “You have to love and know yourself in order to love anyone else or create space for someone else.”

Keisha and Justin's relationship is real, tender and complicated in Forever. They experience miscommunication and emotional conflict along with family pressure and generational expectations. All of this amidst the intensity that first love comes with. But in the end, they choose to separate maturely to pursue their lives independently.

“I thought that maybe Justin and Keisha could show us how to let go when we have to choose ourselves, even though it’s challenging,” concluded Akil.

Fans can look forward to more episodes of Forever featuring the beloved teen romance, with Season 2 expected to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in March 2020, which may cut short Keisha’s college experience and financially challenge Justin’s family due to disruptions in the restaurant business.

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Additionally, the storyline may incorporate elements from the Black Lives Matter movement, continuing the show's focus on social justice.

Season 1 of Forever is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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