The global phenomenon 13 Reasons Why is coming back, with Netflix announcing the Season 2 premiere date.
Netflix broadcast the announcement on Twitter, with a montage of Polaroid photos and the caption “The truth is developing”. Later in the day teasing another caption “The tapes were just the beginning” with the actual date it would return, this chilling proclamation has left fans on edge of their seats.
The first season of the controversial teen suicide drama focuses around Hannah, played by Katherine Langford, who has left behind a series of 13 cassette tapes for her classmates. With her friend and love interest Clay’s (Dylan Minnette) mission to send Hannah’s tapes to their intended listener and the results of those tapes reveal what ultimately leads to her death.
Produced by Selena Gomez, the intense controversy of the first season encouraged discussions about teen suicide and the impact of bullying in schools. After its release Netflix included links to suicide prevention resources in the documentary that followed the series.
With the release of Season 2, Netflix aims to focus on providing tools to engage in productive conversations about the tough and difficult topics explored. Ahead of the season 2 launch Netflix has teamed up with Headspace and Mindframe in Australia, to help to inform resources for key audiences. Jason Trethowan CEO of Headspace wants to ensure that Australian viewers have access to resources to keep them safe and informed while watching the second season.
“Our aim is to support young people who may be distressed by the content and to help parents and schools engage in constructive conversations about the themes depicted in the show”.
Season 2 shortly picks up in the aftermath of Hannah’s death, as the other characters start their journeys toward healing and recovery. In the approaching season, Liberty High prepares to go on trial, but someone will stop at nothing to keep the truth surrounding Hannah’s death concealed. A series of ominous Polaroids lead Clay and his classmates to uncover a sickening secret and a conspiracy to cover it up.
The new season will show a new caution video in every episode outlining where they can get help and indicating resources on the website 13reasonswhy.info. It also plans a series of videos where cast address issues in the series including bullying, sexual assault and drug abuse.
Through the resources that have been developed by headspace and Netflix Jason Trethowan adds: “We want to encourage young people, parents and schools to access these resources and want to remind them that headspace is here to help if required.”
13 Reasons Why Season 2 will launch on Netflix, 18 May 2018.
