Michael Cooper Jr. – ‘Forever’ & Future Plans
- Michael Cooper jr., the star of Netflix's new coming-of-age series Forever, says the experience has profoundly impacted his life.
- Cooper described Justin as having "one foot in confidence and the other foot in insecurity." He appreciated the chance to portray Justin's growth throughout the series, crediting writer...
- Cooper connected with Justin's journey, particularly his experiences as a young Black man and his struggles with ADHD.
Michael Cooper Jr. delivers a captivating performance in Netflix’s “Forever,” a coming-of-age series adapted from Judy Blume’s novel. He portrays Justin Edwards, a high schooler navigating the complexities of first love, identity, and adolescence. Cooper’s lead role demanded vulnerability, which profoundly shifted his perspective, enabling him to connect wiht the emotional journey of his character. He found common ground through Justin’s experiences, particularly his journey as a young Black man dealing with ADHD. Learn about the role’s impact, his creative collaborations with writer Mara Brock Akil—and invaluable advice from other actors. News Directory 3 is covering his journey. Discover what’s next in Michael Cooper Jr.’s future plans.
Michael Cooper Jr.reflects on His Life-Changing Role in ‘Forever’
Updated May 31, 2025
Michael Cooper jr., the star of Netflix’s new coming-of-age series Forever, says the experience has profoundly impacted his life. The series, adapted from Judy Blume’s 1975 novel, explores young love through a modern lens. Cooper portrays Justin Edwards, a somewhat awkward Los Angeles teenager and high school basketball player.
Cooper described Justin as having “one foot in confidence and the other foot in insecurity.” He appreciated the chance to portray Justin’s growth throughout the series, crediting writer Mara Brock Akil with providing a rich character to explore. This role marks Cooper’s first leading role, following appearances in On the Come Up and The Inhabitant.
Cooper connected with Justin’s journey, particularly his experiences as a young Black man and his struggles with ADHD. He noted that playing Justin, an emotional and vulnerable character, has shifted his own viewpoint.
It’s been this weird thing that we’ve created something, and now the world is about to see it. It feels vulnerable. There’s no words to describe it, but what I can say is it feels like a very intimate experience and now we’re just allowing the world to be let in.
Working with Mara Brock Akil was an honor, Cooper said, emphasizing her passion for storytelling and her focus on serving others through art. He also spoke about the challenges of disconnecting from his character after filming, including a cruise with friends to “center himself.”
Reflecting on his first leading role, Cooper said he focused on embodying justin and serving the story, rather than dwelling on the broader implications. He learned to protect his craft, pick up lines quickly, and work with diverse actors. the role challenged him emotionally, which he found beneficial.
To decompress, Cooper enjoys eating, exploring restaurants, meditation, prayer, and spending time with loved ones. He also finds solace in reading the Bible.
Cooper values collaboration and sought guidance from experienced actors like karen Pittman and Wood Harris. He appreciates Akil’s trust and the space she provided for creative exploration.
One line Mara wrote in the script was that he has one foot in confidence and the other foot in insecurity. There’s like this counterpoint. I thoght that was so beautiful that I was able to layer that in the show. To see [him] grow throughout was really special.
What’s next
Cooper looks forward to audiences seeing the character progress in Forever, particularly Justin’s conversion from an awkward teenager to a more confident young man. He hopes the series resonates with viewers and sparks meaningful conversations about love, growth, and identity.