Following the suicide of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), a group of Liberty High students are selected to receive a box containing seven cassette tapes, recorded by Hannah herself prior to her death.
Where to Watch: Netflix, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime
Seasons: 4 Episodes: 49
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
The series opens with Hannah Baker’s suicide making the gossip rounds on campus. #neverforget becomes the trending hashtag for her death, but Hannah (Katherine Langford) has something much more unconventional in mind for her legacy than a trending, meaningless hashtag. She wants her story to be heard. She wants to tell her truth, regardless of how difficult it is to hear. These are the events in which we find ourselves going into season one.
It is now Clay Jensen’s turn to listen to the tapes, leaving his guilt-ridden classmates squirming. When resident good-kid Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) receives the tapes, he is suddenly catapulted into the darkness of Hannah’s inner-narrative. What could Clay, who is in love with Hannah, possibly have to do with her death? Clay, an honest and kind character, becomes both fascinated and afraid of what the tapes may reveal. He is especially concerned about what the tapes will reveal about himself.
Clay now has possession of the Hannah tapes, leaving his guilty classmates squirming. Clay’s classmates are also concerned. Until now, no one has openly addressed the explosive secrets revealed on Hannahs’ tapes. When Clay receives the package, his classmates descend upon him like vultures. Will honest Clay reveal their secrets? Whose future will be ruined if he decides to expose the tapes? Can they bully him into silence? Clay is forewarned: keep quiet or else.
Each of the 13 tapes details the reasons why Hannah decided to end her life. The students mentioned on the tapes distance themselves from them, while some even go so far as to deny Hannah’s version of events altogether.
Who Is On The Tapes? Let’s Break It Down:
Justin Foley (Brandon Flynn): Justin is Hannah’s first crush at Liberty High. He is a jock from the wrong side of the tracks and often crashes in his best friend Bryce’s pool house to avoid his addict mother and her abusive boyfriend. Justin is complicated, and his romance with Hannah was short-lived due to an incident with a seemingly innocent photo of Hannah being sent around school.
Jessica Davis (Alisha Boe): Fellow new-girl Jessica and Hannah were best friends until she transitioned into a popular cheerleader. She dated both Alex Standall and Hannah’s ex Justin Foley. Jessica is harboring a secret that will change her entire life.
Alex Standall (Miles Heizer): Also new to Liberty High School, Alex, along with Jessica and Hannah, becomes a best friend group of three. But what is the popular expression? Three is a crowd? When Jessica starts dating Alex behind Hannah’s back, she feels left out. Alex also joins the popular crew, leaving Hannah to feel even more lonely.
Courtney Crimsen (Michele Selene Ang): Courtney is a peppy, preppy, over-achieving member of the student body with a big secret. When Hannah uncovers (and keeps) Courtney’s secret, she instantly loses their friendship so that picture-perfect Courtney can remain in denial.
Tyler Down (Devin Druid) is the quiet, nerdy school photographer with a huge crush on Hannah. While Hannah is initially nice to Tyler, he does something that publicly humiliates her, causing Hannah to feel embarrassingly exposed.
Sheri Holland (Ajiona Alexus): Known for being one of the nicer cheerleaders, Sheri offers Hannah a ride home from a party, a ride that would change the lives of many at Liberty High. When Sheri refuses to call the police after knocking down a stop sign with her car, Hannah calls to report the incident, but it is already too late. Unlike the others, Sheri is one of the few people that owns up to her actions.
Marcus Cole (Steven Silver): Marcus is the popular student body president and member of several school clubs. He pretends to be a good guy, but his treatment of Hannah on a date suggests otherwise. Marcus pushes the negative Hannah narrative circulating around the school in order to avoid any personal embarrassment. Marcus is afraid that the tapes will be exposed, and that his chances at joining the Ivy League will be lost.
Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice): Bryce is perhaps one of the most important recipients of the tapes, yet he does not know of their existence until far past the others. Bryce is the rich kid who gets away with everything, and the only payment he is not making is for his actions. He pretends to be genuine, but underneath that facade, he is troubled. Bryce is the living, breathing embodiment of jock culture. He lacks respect for authority, women, and his friends. Regardless, no matter the trouble he gets into, he possesses a team of high-priced attorneys on retainer, ready to strike. Bryce is the wolf in the lettermans’ jacket.
Kevin Porter (Derek Luke): Mr. Porter is the school guidance counselor. Before commiting suicide, Hannah decides to make one last go of it and turns to Mr. Porter for advice. Unfortunately, the advice she was expecting to receive was absent in their conversation, and a busy Mr. Porter lets Hannah leave before identifying who hurt her. He is not the port in the storm she was hoping for, solidifying her belief that there is no hope.
Tony Padilla (Christian Navarro): Tony is a friend to both Hannah and Clay. Hannah leaves a copy of the tapes with Tony to ensure that everyone on the tapes actually listens to them. This makes it impossible for anyone on the list to get rid of them. Tony takes extra care of the tapes, becoming a protector of sorts of Hannah’s legacy.
Executive-produced by entertainment powerhouse Selena Gomez, this teen series brings the intensity (and then some)…Don’t miss it. It’s worth the watch.
Parents and Teachers:
Lainie Jensen (Amy Hargreaves)
Matt Jensen (Josh Hamilton)
Olivia Baker (Kate Walsh)
Andy Baker (Brian d’Arcy James)
Nora Walker (Brenda Strong)
Barry Walker (Jake Weber)
Kevin Porter (Derek Luke)
Karen Dempsey (Cindy Cheung)
Mr. Down (Tom Everett Scott)
Mrs. Down (Maria Dizzia)
Dennis Vasquez (Wilson Cruz)
Bill Standall (Mark Pellegrino)
Carolyn Standall (Meredith Monroe)
Amber Foley (Jackie Geary)
Gary Bolan (Steven Weber)
Greg Davis (Joseph C. Phillips)
Noelle Davis (Andrea Roth)
Robert Ellman (Gary Sinise)
Arturo Padilla (Gary Perez)
Mr. de la Cruz (Marcus DeAnd)