Image: Netflix
Mara Brock Akil’s hit coming-of-age drama Forever is officially returning for a second season, with a renewal for May 2025 as part of the Netflix upfronts. Things have been pretty quiet since that renovation in the middle of last year, but good news: cameras will start rolling out very soon. Here’s a detailed summary of everything we know so far about Forever season 2, including a new look at the upcoming filming schedule.
Based on the classic Judy Blume novel and modernized by creator Mara Brock Akil (moesha, girlfriend), forever Caught the attention of audiences and critics in May last year. Moving the story from 1970s New Jersey to sunny 2018 Los Angeles, the first season introduced us to Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.), two black teens navigating the complicated waters of high school romance.
As a reminder, the series spent four full weeks in the top 10 and garnered 15.9 million views. By the end of 2025, it had increased to 24.4M views. Here are the details of those four weeks:
| week in top 10 | week period | hours watched | visual/cve | weekly rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4th May to 11th May 2025 | 24,200,000 (New) | 3,700,000 | 3 |
| 2 | 11 May to 18 May 2025 | 43,700,000 (+81%) | 6,700,000 | 3 |
| 3 | 18th May to 25th May 2025 | 20,600,000 (-53%) | 3,200,000 | 7 |
| 4 | From 25 May to 1 June 2025 | 14,700,000 (-29%) | 2,300,000 | 10 |
After a bittersweet season finale that left fans wanting more, Netflix has officially given the green light for a second season. Here’s what’s next for Keisha, Justin and the production of Forever Season 2.
When and where is Forever Season 2 filming?
We have some exciting news for fans eager for an update: production on Forever Season 2 is tentatively scheduled to begin on May 8th. According to the production sheet, filming will take place in two primary locations: Los Angeles, California and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Given the show’s deeply rooted L.A. background, a return to Los Angeles is expected.
Add to that that California Film Commission confirmed The series returns to the state in November.
“I have been a part of the California Film Incentive Program since its inception and continue to forever Here’s what Season 2 means everything. This show is both a love story and a love letter to Los Angeles – the city that raised me and shaped my voice as a storyteller,” Mara Brock Akil said in a press release. “Working with a world-class crew while keeping jobs in your community – it’s not just filmmaking, it’s legacy. California nurtures dreamers, and I’m grateful to keep dreaming here.”
However, the addition of Martha’s Vineyard is an incredibly interesting development for the show’s sophomore run. Known as a typical summer retreat, Martha’s Vineyard—especially in areas like Oak Bluffs—has a rich history as a beloved vacation destination. Can Keisha spend the summer hanging out with her future elite classmates before heading off to college? Or maybe Justin’s gap year takes him to the East Coast? Either way, the beautiful New England island promises a stunning visual change from the sun-drenched streets of LA.
What to expect from Forever Season 2?
WARNING: The following section contains spoilers. proceed with caution!
The first season ended with an emotionally mature but heartbreaking finale. Under the blue glow of the Hachioji Craft Ramen sign, soundtracked by Frank Ocean’s “Moon River,” Keisha and Justin made the incredibly difficult decision to go their separate ways. After dealing with intense family pressure, the nuances of navigating predominantly white spaces, and the enormous expectations placed upon them, they decided to prioritize their personal growth over their romance.
As Justin said in his crushed final moments: “Maybe we’ll be drawn to each other in 10 years.”
Season 2 will pick up the pieces of that breakup, exploring who Keisha and Justin are without each other.
Ten million. Hilary Braunwyn Gale/Netflix © 2024
Showrunner Mara Brock Akil has teased that the upcoming season will delve deeper into this new chapter of independence. Keisha, an uncompromising A-plus student and track star, is on her way to the prestigious Howard University. “Howard is Keisha’s first boyfriend, honestly,” says Brock Akil. “I want to see who he is in this environment.”
Meanwhile, Justin — who spent Season 1 juggling between his passion for making beats and his parents’ dreams of playing basketball at Northwestern — will take a gap year. “Now that he’s got a direction what is he going to do in this gap year?” Brock asks Akil. “He needs to figure out who he is outside of Keisha.”
But don’t lose hope of reunion. The main question looming over Season 2 is whether these two soulmates will be able to find their way back to each other. “How do you reconnect, how do you go back through the door that you know is open?” Brock Akil teases. The creator called season 2 “a love letter to the people who said, ‘Yes, this is it for me,'” promising that the series is set to “go even deeper.”
Who is returning for season 2?
Although the full cast list has not been officially confirmed by Netflix, we do know for sure that two of our cast members are returning center stage:
- Lovi Simone as Keisha Clark
- Michael Cooper Jr. as Justin Edwards
When can Forever Season 2 be released on Netflix?
If production officially begins in early May as scheduled, filming will likely last through the summer. Taking post-production into account, we are currently predicting that Forever season 2 will arrive on Netflix in early to mid 2027.
We’ll keep this preview updated with all the latest casting news, set photos, and release dates as we get them.
Are you excited to return? forever? What do you think brings artists to Martha’s Vineyard? Let us know in the comments below!