Forever's Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr. Audition Stories
If you aren't familiar with the new teen romance series that's taking over Netflix, here's a quick synopsis: Forever follows two high schoolers, Keisha Clark and Justin Edwards, after they randomly run into each other at a party after years of being apart. We learn how they navigate societal pressures, first love, sex, dating, family, and more.
The series is a reimagining of Judy Blume's controversial 1975 novel of the same name. It stars Lovie Simone (Greenleaf, Selah and the Spades) as Keisha and newcomer Michael Cooper Jr. (On the Come Up) as Justin.
For eight days straight (aka the amount of time Forever has been on Netflix), I've been unable to get the series out of my head. But I'm not the only one, because it was renewed for a second season after just six days of streaming!
From the storylines to the music selection, everything about the show made me smile. So, when I sat down with Mara to learn more about the making of Forever, I had to ask how the stars ultimately landed their leading roles.
First, Mara had to examine which actors reminded her of the characters she created in her head. Then — the real test — seeing which actors could not only work well together but also play off of each other's emotions.
"When Lovie and Michael, separately, jump off the screen, you pick as many of the people who kind of spark, and then you bring them into a room," Mara told BuzzFeed.
"I think being together in real life, or IRL, as the kids say, is important. So, we did the individual auditions and mixed and matched different pairings."
Along with casting director Kim Coleman, Mara also had help from Regina King, who acted as a director and executive producer for the project, when it came to making the final decision. Mara recalled the moment she and Regina realized Lovie and Michael were it.
"Then, as soon as we put Lovie and Michael in the scene together, it was magic! Everybody felt the goosebumps," Mara continued. "Everybody felt it! Regina and I tried to look at each other during the audition, but not give it away. We felt it."
"I think for me, as a writer, when I sort of lean in and I start imagining how to write for the voice of those actors, that's when I know it's special. That's what we call chemistry. They changed the molecules in the room when they came together, and then that's how you know you found it."
Wow, even the behind-the-scenes details are swoonworthy. To learn more, be sure to check out my full BuzzFeed interview with Mara.
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