Netflix has officially ordered a series adaptation of Forever, a coming-of-age romance novel by best-selling author Judy Blume. The series will be produced by Mara Brock Akil, known for her work on Girlfriends and the CW series Black Adam, in her new overall deal with the streaming service.
Published in 1975, Forever tells the story of Katherine Danziger and Michael Wagner, two teenagers that get caught up in a fast-paced whirlwind romance after a chance meeting at a New Year’s Eve party. Dealing closely with sexuality and sexual intimacy topics, the novel follows Katherine and Michael as they fumble their way into a sexual relationship for the first time, fully believing that their intimacy will lead to a relationship that will last for the rest of their lives. However, when the two are separated over summer break, Katherine finds herself falling for Theo, a tennis instructor, and she discovers that maybe forever with Michael isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Since its initial release, some audiences have considered Forever a controversial novel due to its no-holds-barred honesty when dealing with teenage sexual discovery. According to the American Library Association’s list of Top 100 Banned Books, Forever took the 7th place spot between 1900 and 1999, falling to 16th between 2000 and 2009. In 2005, the novel was listed as the second-most banned book in the U.S., falling just behind It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris.
Mara Brock Akil and the Netflix Adaptation of ‘Forever’
However, despite this less-than-warm reception, the Netflix adaptation of Forever will not be the novel’s first on-screen adaptation; in 1978, Forever was adapted into a made-for-TV movie on CBS, starring Stephanie Zimbalist (Remington Steele) as Katherine and Dean Butler (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as Michael.
The new Netflix adaptation will be helmed by Mara Brock Akil, who is best known as a producer for the sitcom Girlfriends, which first premiered on UPN in 2000 before moving to the CW in 2006 and being canceled in 2008. Brock Akil will act as Forever’s executive producer and showrunner under her new deal with Netflix.
“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,” Mara Brock Akil told Deadline in a statement. “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.”
Mara Brock Akil will be joined by fellow executive producers Judy Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, and Erika Harrison. More details on the Netflix adaptation of Forever by Judy Blume, including a cast list and production schedule, will likely become available as the series enters production.