Despite controversy and backlash over its first season, in May 2018 Netflix released the second instalment of teen drama, 13 Reasons Why.
Instead of scaling back on the hard-hitting topics which garnered negative attention worldwide, the show continued along the same storyline, including further scenes of self-harm and finishing with a graphic sexual assault scene many called “horrifying.”
So, will there be a third season? Surprisingly, it looks likely.
Here’s what we know so far.
Katherine Langford won’t be returning
The Perth-born actress, who played Hannah Baker on seasons one and two, revealed via Instagram that she is done with the show. “‘Hannah…I love you…and I let you go.’ Those are the words I was able to say six months ago, and now can finally share with you,” she wrote to fans.
The real school that the show is filmed in has been booked
In April 2018, Sonoma West Times & News reported that the board who look after Analy High School, which is known as Liberty High on the show, has approved a third licensing agreement with Paramount Pictures.
Production could start as soon as this month
If season three does go ahead, production crews are expected to fill the halls of Analy High from mid-June to mid-December.
The storyline will move away from Hannah
Following the premiere of season two, showrunner Brian Yorkey told Entertainment Weekly he doesn’t see “a tremendous presence for Hannah” moving forward. “If the story does continue, and certainly there is lots more to know a lot about these characters, then the spotlight focus on Hannah Baker is probably done.”
The high school students will be closer
“One of our big themes for the season was the progression from isolation to community,” Yorkey told Entertainment Weekly. “We really wanted these kids to find a community in each other…We respond to community. We respond to people being there for each other, so I do hope that if the story does continue, we will continue to see that,” he explained. “I’m sure there will be new adversity, but I’m sure we also will see that there are bonds here that these characters didn’t have before.”
There’s still a lot to be resolved
Of course, the final minutes of season two showed student Tyler get attacked and brutally raped. This prompted him to take a gun to the school with plans to shoot those involved. Though Clay seemed to talk some sense into him, the show ended with the sound of sirens approaching.
The release date
If filming does start in the next few months, season three could be released as soon as April 2019.
