[WARNING: This piece contains spoilers for 13 Reasons Why]
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Netflix recently rolled out 13 Reasons Why, a gripping yet gut-wrenching adaptation of Jay Asher’s best-selling YA novel of the same name. It’s told from the perspective of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), a high school teen who kills herself and leaves behind a collection of pre-recorded, confessional tapes to detail why. The story cuts between her poignant narration of the events that led up to her death and the aftermath unfolding in present day, centered around her crush-slash-resident nice guy Clay Jenkins (Dylan Minnette).
Though only about a week out from its release, the show has already raked in widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its frank and powerful depictions of issues like bullying, sexual assault, and suicide. By the end, Hannah’s story had finished, but the team behind the TV iteration did well to craft compelling narratives for its supporting characters, spurring speculation that more episodes could happen down the line.
In an interview with EW, Asher said that he’s among the people who want to see a season 2. As he told the outlet:
The author went on to say that he couldn’t confirm or deny if a second season was indeed in the works, but did explain that the final episode wasn’t crafted with more episodes in mind.
“I’d just like a continuation of all those characters. I’m curious as well. What happens to Clay? How do people react to what Alex did at the very end? What’s going to happen to Mr. Porter? I’d thought of a sequel at some point. I’d brainstormed it, but decided I wasn’t going to write it. So I’d love to see it.”
Though 13 Reasons Why’s first season was largely self-contained, there are plenty of plot points to pick up with should it return for another season. So, while the title might not necessarily apply, there’s more than enough story to work with, and it certainly seems like there’s a demand for more. Netflix is rarely stingy with green-lighting its original series, so a season 2 is possible, but it will probably be some time before there’s any official word.
“Things weren’t left open in the hopes of a sequel… There is no end for the characters left behind. Every action we have is going to have repercussions in ways we could not anticipate. You realize that with not just what Hannah did, but also how other people treated Tyler throughout it. It’s the whole message of the book. Of course, there’s obviously ways to go with a second season if they do that.”
Next: 13 Reasons Why Is A Step Forward For TV’s Portrayal of Rape
13 Reasons Why season 1 is available on Netflix.
Source: EW
