Interview: Karen Pittman says Netflix’s ‘Forever’ is a love letter to Los Angeles

In this bold, modern update of Forever, Netflix gives the 1975 classic a fresh coat of realism, heart, and cultural relevance—set in 2018 Los Angeles and viewed through a modern Black lens. At the heart of the story is Karen Pittman’s Dawn Edwards: a high-powered professional, a fiercely loving mom, and the kind of woman who can balance spreadsheets and teenage emotional spirals without breaking a sweat. Pittman brings warmth, strength, and just enough panic to make Dawn feel like the mom we all know—or are.

In this interview with Awards Buzz, Karen Pittman unpacks what it means to play a character so grounded in both love and fear—especially as she watches her teenage son, Justin, take his first dive into romance (and adulthood) with Keisha. With the legendary Regina King directing the pilot and Mara Brock Akil shaping the series’ tone, Forever is more than a teen love story—it’s a deeply nuanced portrait of family, life, and relationships.

Check it out!

Forever is now streaming on Netflix.