Everything We Know About 13 Reasons Why Season 2
The dark Netflix drama finally returns debuts Friday, May 18, with all episodes dropping at once.
The date was announced with a cool and intriguing teaser video, filled with Polaroid pictures and a few familiar faces, along with just a little bit of info about what we can expect from this second season, which takes the story beyond Jay Asher's book on which the show is based.
Goodbye Tapes, Hello Polaroids
This show loves its ever-so-slightly vintage tech. Someone's trying to keep the truth about Hannah's death concealed, because in season two, as the school is preparing to go on trial, Clay and his classmates are receiving ominous Polaroids that lead to the discovery of a sickening secret and a conspiracy to cover it up.
"The tapes were just the beginning," promised the teaser video.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Hannah Baker is still dead, but star Katherine Langford isn't going anywhere.
"The Hannah in season one is gone...she's still there this season, but I would prepare audiences to see a different Hannah this season," Langford said on The Tonight Show.
Creator Brian Yorkey has said that while Hannah told her version of events, "there are at least 12 kids that have another version of those events that we haven't really heard from yet."
Most of the Cast Will Return
Dylan Minnette, Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe, Derek Luke, Kate Walsh, Justin Prentice will all return for sure, but most of the rest of the cast is also expected back, since season two picks up right after season one left off.
Of course, that "17 year-old male gunshot victim" from the finale might not be back full time, but we'll have to wait and see on that!
New Faces
A whole bunch of new names have been added to the cast, including a new cheerleader played by Anne Winters, a football coach played by Ben Lawson, Bryce's parents played by Brenda Strong and Jake Weber, a new litigator played by Allison Miller, a mischievous kid played by Bryce Cass and his sister, played by Chelsea Alde, along with Meredith Monroe playing Alex's mom, a track star played by Samantha Logan, and a bully victim advocate played by Kelli O'Hara.
Season 2 Is "Intense"
Kate Walsh, who plays Hannah's mom, told E! News that season two will delve into a whole bunch of different things in the wake of Hannah's death.
"You see us sort of following the trail of Bryce Walker, so the season deals with sexual assault, it deals with truth, it deals with responsibility, it deals with the aftermath of Hannah's death and how it's affected her parents, her community, her friends, the school, the community at large, and really trying to, again, look for responsibility and accountability."
But There's Light At the End of the Tunnel
Walsh also said that season two is a "much more redemptive and hope-filled story" than what we got in season one, with new dynamics between characters.
A Continued Conversation
After many people found season one to be a little too dark and occasionally almost irresponsible in its treatment of extremely sensitive topics, season two will be surrounded by opportunities for conversation. A whole site has been set up at 13ReasonsWhy.Info with discussion guides, a new discussion series with the cast, and resources for viewers.
Selena's Still On Board
Selena Gomez will be serving as executive producer just as she did in season one. She shared the news of season two back in May 2017, saying "the story isn't over." She's also contributing new songs to the soundtrack, including one called "Back to You."
New Trauma
We don't know exactly what's happening in this new season two pic or what happened to Tony's (Christian Navarro) car, but it doesn't look good (it also makes us think maybe Tony isn't a ghost after all).
Maybe Bryce Will Get What's Coming To Him?
Or at least Bryce (Justin Prentice) will get threatened up against a wall by Mr. Porter (Derek Luke), though we're hoping he gets fully punished for raping multiple people.