Everything we know about ’13 Reasons Why’ S3

The first season of 13 Reasons Why followed teenager Clay Jensen in his quest to uncover the story behind his classmate and crush, Hannah, and her decision to end her life. The second season gave us a look into the aftermath of Hannah’s death and court proceedings against Liberty High School.

13 Reasons Why has always addressed serious topics, so the third season was no different. The show shifted its focus from suicide to murder, and the completed series now offers a full picture of how that change played out. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the story for the new season of 13 Reasons Why?

Season 3 takes place eight months after the Season 2 finale. The central story follows the murder investigation of Bryce Walker, with narration provided by new character Ani Achola. Hannah Baker is absent from the season. The plot centers on the cover-up efforts of Clay and his friends as police scrutinize the group. Alex Standall killed Bryce in self-defense during a confrontation that also involved Jessica and Zach. The group then framed the already deceased Monty de la Cruz for the murder. The season ends with police discovering Tyler’s guns, which sets up Season 4.

Who’s leading the creative charge behind 13 Reasons Why S3?

Brian Yorkey served as showrunner and creator, with additional writers including Allen MacDonald. Directors included Michael Morris along with others such as Eliza Hittman. Filming ran from August 2018 through February 2019. Jay Asher, author of the source novel, remained involved in an advisory capacity while the expanded writers’ room handled the shift to a murder-mystery structure.

Who forms the merry cast of characters in murder-centric S3?

Dylan Minnette returns as Clay Jensen, while Brandon Flynn portrays Justin Foley. Alisha Boe stars as Jessica Davis, Christian Navarro is Tony Padilla, Miles Heizer portrays Alex Standall, and Devin Druid is Tyler Down. Ross Butler plays Zach Dempsey, Timothy Granaderos is Montgomery de la Cruz, Anne Winters is Chloe, and Steven Weber plays Principal Bowen. Brenda Strong plays Mrs. Walker and Amy Hargreaves is Mrs. Jensen. Grace Saif joins as Ani, the new narrator. Bex Taylor Klaus acts the part of Casey and Tyler Barnhardt portrays Charlie. Justin Prentice plays the murdered Bryce Walker. Katherine Langford does not appear as Hannah Baker.

How did Season 3 resolve the central murder mystery?

The season reveals that Alex Standall killed Bryce in self-defense. The friend group then worked together to frame Monty de la Cruz, who had already died in prison. Police eventually find Tyler’s hidden guns, creating new tension that carries into Season 4. The resolution closes the Bryce investigation while leaving the characters facing fresh consequences.

What was the critical and audience reception to Season 3?

Rotten Tomatoes described the season as a melodramatic mess of a murder mystery. Critics and audiences largely criticized the show for diverging from Hannah’s original story and for giving Bryce a redemption arc that many found unconvincing. Some viewers still appreciated the continued character development despite the tonal shift. Audience scores remained mixed, with many expressing disappointment that the series had moved away from its initial focus.

Did 13 Reasons Why continue beyond Season 3?

Netflix renewed the series for a fourth and final season immediately after the Season 3 premiere. Season 4 was released on June 5, 2020, and served as the conclusion. The complete run totals 49 episodes across four seasons, all now available to stream.

How has research on the show's suicide portrayal impact evolved?

A 2020 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry confirmed a significant association between the Season 1 release and increased suicide rates among U.S. youth ages 10-17 in the following month. Later research has noted mixed effects, including some increase in help-seeking behavior alongside documented risks. The debate over media guidelines for depicting suicide has continued, with ongoing discussion among mental health organizations and researchers about responsible portrayal standards.

Less than 13 reasons why 13 Reasons Why is controversial

Netflix’s teen drama 13 Reasons Why has been followed by controversy since its first conception. The show, based on a 2007 novel by Jay Asher, follows the suicide of a high school girl named Hannah Baker, who recorded tapes that explain her decision to take her life. At the time of the show’s release, a host of commentators, from individual suicide survivors to the National Association of School Psychologists, mentioned a wide array of studies that linked portrayals of suicide in the media to increases in the suicide rate. One study specifically reported watching 13 Reasons Why was associated with a 28.9% increase in suicide rates among U.S. youth ages 10-17 in the month following the show’s release, after accounting for ongoing trends in suicide rates. An association is not, of course, the same thing as causality; suicide is a vastly complex phenomenon. A study from the University of Pennsylvania showed that suicide risk actually decreased for students who watched 13 Reasons Why all the way to the end of S2. Students who stopped in the middle meanwhile were at a higher risk for suicide. There were other events that may have contributed to the spike as well. Before 13 Reasons Why’s premiere in 2017, Netflix contacted, among others, Executive Director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education Dan Reidenberg, whose advice was not to release the series, but that wasn’t an option. Netflix responded to the controversy surrounding the release of the show with this typical corporate bromide: Entertainment has always been the ultimate connector and we hope that 13 Reasons Why can serve as a catalyst for conversation. Most of the conversation has centered around what a poor decision it was for Netflix to release the suicide scene itself. Netflix edited the controversial, graphic suicide scene more than two years after the 13 Reasons Why season one finale took place. The original cut was almost three minutes long, featuring a gruesome depiction of the character taking a razor blade to her wrists. The new suicide scene, which has since been updated on the Netflix site, features Hannah looking at herself in the mirror before cutting away to a shot of her parents’ reaction to her suicide. Sources say Netflix will also monitor and issue takedowns for any pirated clips that feature the original, unedited scene. Season 3 drew additional criticism for its murder-mystery focus and for attempting to generate sympathy for Bryce. The 2020 study reinforced the earlier association between Season 1 and youth suicide rate increases. Netflix edited the suicide scene, and the series concluded in Season 4.

When the heck can we bingewatch 13 Reasons Why S3?

The third season of 13 Reasons Why premiered on August 23, 2019, on Netflix. The series was renewed for a final fourth season released June 5, 2020. All seasons are now available for streaming.