Hit book Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is coming to Netflix March 31st 2017. The book was written in 2007, but in 2011 it was New York Times best selling book. Teens from all over America were hooked on the book, eventually making it one of the competitors in our 2015 March madness at Bernards High School. It was critically acclaimed, winning multiple awards in the young adult novel category, including making the International Reading Association Young Adults’ Choice List and winning the California Book Award for young adult novels.
The new series was announced to hit Netflix when executive producer, Selena Gomez, instagrammed a trailer of the show with the caption, “A peek at a passion project I’ve been working on with @Netflix. @13ReasonsWhy arrives 3/31.” Selena Gomez had been working on the series since 2011 and was originally starring in it, but decided to produce it after the book left a mark on her. According to The Hollywood Reporter Selena Gomez said, “I was actually going through a really difficult time when they started production. I went away for 90 days, and I actually met tons of kids in this place that were talking about a lot of the issues that these characters are experiencing.” Tom McCarthy, of Oscar winning movie, “Spotlight”, also directed a few of the thirteen episode series.
Dylan Minnette plays teen Clay Jensen who received a box with thirteen cassette tapes in it. The tapes were all recorded by Hannah Baker played by Katherine Langford who ended her life just two weeks before. Katherine Langford is a young up-and coming actress, with Thirteen Reasons Why being her first major role in a production expected to receive this kind of popularity. Katherine Langford got the role by auditioning via skype. Clay has to listen to all thirteen tapes to figure out why Hannah decided to end her life. “I really think it is a great idea for a show because a lot of people have read the book. If it is anything like the book, then I am sure it will be great. I am really just excited for it to premiere!” said Senior Sydney Herrick.
The topic of the book talks about a very sensitive subject of suicide. Rather than the normal teen dramas like Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and 90210, Thirteen Reasons Why involves suicide which has become a very controversial subject. Some people say that the show is glorifying suicide in a sense. Senior Nicole Bachrach said, “I don’t think it accurately portrays teenage suicide and that instead of bringing awareness to the problem we’re making it more ‘hollywood’”. While others are predicting it will focus on why suicide is bad, “I think that Thirteen Reasons Why shows a perspective on suicide that is less known and it’s definitely important in these times, especially with what is happening with schools around us.” Senior Olivia Lawrence said. The series comes out on Netflix March 31st and is expected to have millions of teen viewers.
