Newcomer Michael Cooper Jr.’s experience on Mara Brock Akil’s coming-of-age drama Forever has been life-changing.

Based on the 1975 Judy Blume novel of the same name and told through a modern lens, the eight-episode Netflix series is an exploration of young love. Cooper plays Justin Edwards, an inexperienced and somewhat awkward L.A. teenager.

“One line Mara wrote in the script was that he has one foot in confidence and the other foot in insecurity,” Cooper tells The Hollywood Reporter over a Zoom call, explaining his character who also plays on his high school basketball team. “I thought that was so beautiful that I was able to layer that in the show. To see [him] grow throughout was really special. That was a treat, as an actor, that Mara gave me.”

After modest parts in 2022’s On the Come Up and The Inhabitant, a character as resonant as Justin marks his first leading role is an additional gift, Cooper says. Below, the actor speaks with THR about Forever, being number one on the call sheet and who he looks to for guidance.

What was working on Forever like? What did the experience mean to you?

The story itself is beautiful. It resonates with so many people. It’s a coming-of-age story. Judy Blume is an amazing creator, and Mara Brock [Akil]’s adaptation, it hits home for me. There’s so much connective tissue, whether it be being a Black man and his experience or being a young man and his first love, those are things that I was able to connect with. Even [the] journey with Justin and his specificity when it comes to ADHD, something I struggle with. Me and Justin aren’t the same. We’re completely different guys. But those are some of the things that really spoke to me, and it honestly altered my perception and how I view the world. Justin’s such an emotional and vulnerable guy, and it seeped into how I perceive things now. It was a gift that I didn’t think that I was going to ever receive from something like that, but it’s been special.

Can you share more about working on a show run by Mara Brock Akil?

It’s Mara Brock Akil, do you know what I mean? To be able to even be embedded in something of this measure and to work with her so closely, it really was an honor and an experience. She cares so much about her craft and about her story that it’s palpable on set. It’s this binding thing of passion and love for the story. The reason why I got into acting was of service. I think Mara understands that as an artist, it’s not about you, it’s not about self. It’s how can we serve other people and how can we connect to them?

How does it feel to be over the finish line with this season? Have you been reflecting on the experience?

It’s kind of crazy. There has been some lull time. When you’re shooting it, your character kind of seeps in you a little bit. I was like, what is going on? To then come out of it, I went on a cruise with some friends to kind of center myself and to come back to me. ADR is something that most actors have to do, and I vividly remember stepping into the booth and Mara was in the offices in L.A. and she was on the mic. I was speaking in my normal voice, and she’s like, “No, no, no. You sound like you’re a 25-year-old man from the club. I need you to up the octaves a couple.” I was like, oh, I forgot Justin’s a kid. 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.

Given it’s your first leading role, this project will likely be a touch point for you throughout your career. Are you feeling that when on set or is it just another day at work?

Honestly, it just feels like another day of work, not necessarily thinking of the overall picture. You’re so focused on who Justin is and how we can serve the story. You’re not really thinking of anything that falls after. You’re thinking of how can I put my heart [into it]? How can I put my soul and my best foot forward on a day-to-day basis? It’s intense. I’m so new to this. You watch television, you watch movies, you’re like, wow. But there’s so much that goes on. It’s taught me, as a young actor, how to protect my craft. It’s taught me how to be able to pick up lines quickly or to work with anybody or act off of anybody. It taught me a lot about my emotionality and what I can give. It really, it stressed me emotionally, which was nice. It was nice to be challenged.

How were you able to disconnect from your character while making the show?

What I would do to treat myself, I would eat. I like to eat food, so that was a touch point of what I like to do. I like to explore different restaurants. Meditation was huge. Prayer was huge. Talking to family friends who know who I am was a huge part of counterbalancing the performance that I had to bring with Justin. Those were a little of my re-centering things.

What part of the show are you most excited for people to see?

The development of the characters from start to finish. They go on a rollercoaster ride. But I really do think you see Keisha and Justin grow and develop. Justin was such an awkward cat at the top of the show. 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 thought that was so beautiful that I was able to layer that in the show. To see [him] grow throughout was really special. That was a treat, as an actor, that Mara gave me.

How collaborative was this process?

I would call Mara, and I would ask her questions about Justin in pre-production. When we were in production, she trusted us. She gave us the space to create, to fall flat, to be brave and be bold, make strong decisions, make wrong decisions, because [it’s] important to make all the decisions so we can really break the barrier of fear; something that could potentially hold us back.

How do you go about learning on set? Do you like being thrown into it, or do you consult anyone and gather information?

I think I’m a little bit of both. Honestly. I’m very transparent. I remember at the very first table read, it was my first table read ever. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with Number One on the Call Sheet, It’s like a documentary that just came out. But I was number one on the call sheet, and I didn’t understand the gravity of that. I looked to Karen [Pittman] and Wood [Harris], who’ve been doing it for a long time. I was like, “Hey guys, I’m not professionally trained. I’m not classically trained. I’ve only been in this industry for two, three years. That’s as long as I’ve been acting for. I’m scared.” They just gave me words of encouragement. “You’re here for a reason.”

What do you like to do outside of acting? How do you decompress?

I like swimming. I like going to the batting cage and batting with my friends. Hanging with friends and family. I love reading the Bible. It’s my favorite book to read. Those are things that keep me grounded and keep me sane, especially in an industry that’s so fast-paced and wants you to produce.