13 Reasons Why cast and characters: Here’s who brought the Netflix teen drama to life

13 Reasons Why cast and characters (Image Via Netflix)
13 Reasons Why cast and characters (Image Via Netflix)

13 Reasons Why decodes the reasons and aftermath of Hannah Baker's death by suicide. Hannah has left behind a series of recordings about her experiences and the people who contributed to her misery and compelled her to take her life. The show reflects on how cruelty and bullying, along with sexual harassment, regardless of how subtle and normalized they are, affect a being, and these systemic failures accumulated can have devastating consequences.

13 Reasons Why shows how each action, rumor, or silence could affect a being more deeply than anyone could realize. The show keeps shifting timelines with Clay Jensen listening to Hannah's tapes at present and the flashback to the life Hannah lived.

The story was successfully brought to the screen by its phenomenal cast, who brought such complex characters to life. Here is the list of primary cast members of 13 Reasons Why.


Here is the list of 13 Reasons Why cast and characters, who played whom, explored

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Dylan Minnette as Clay Jensen

Clay is the anchor point of the show, as he is the one listening to the series of Hannah's recordings of her experiences. Hannah was Clay's classmate and also the one he secretly liked. After Hannah's shocking suicide, he receives the tapes from one of his friends. The entire season is now about him listening to those tapes.

His character portrayed some complex emotions, discovering the real face of Liberty High while also being guilty for not being able to do anything about it.

Katherine Langford as Hannah Baker

As mentioned, Clay is listening to Hannah's tapes, which makes her the heart of the show. Her entire being is explored via her recordings after her death by suicide. Those recordings are her lived experience and feelings about several people who have contributed to making her hate herself and her life. Hannah's story compels the audience to confront difficult topics and talk about mental health.

The story keeps shifting its timeline from the present day to when Hannah was alive, helping the viewers to form an intimate bond while also carrying the reality of the suicide of such a personality.

13 Reasons Why cast and characters (Image Via Netflix)
13 Reasons Why cast and characters (Image Via Netflix)

Brandon Flynn as Justin Foley

Justin is the popular basketball player in the institute. He is the one responsible for Hannah's chain of trauma when her intimate photo was circulated among the students. He becomes the most layered and tragic character in 13 Reasons Why.

Having grown up in an abusive home, Justin battles addiction. Not only this, he was helpless and possessed a deep-seated shame. Clay's family came as a hope for him and offered him the stability he had ever wanted.

Alisha Boe as Jessica Davis

Alisha Boe played Jessica, who was Hannah's best friend. Even her life was affected by trauma, especially when she was sexually assaulted by Bryce Walker. Her journey, however, doesn't end with a suicide but with resilience, as she claims her identity and power back. She eventually serves as the president of the student body and an advocate for the survivors of violence.

Along with these, some supporting cast members also played a significant role in 13 Reasons Why. This includes Christian Navarro as Tony Padilla. Tony is the fierce and loyal friend of Clay, who also is the one who keeps Hannah's tapes. Miles Heizer appears as Alex Standall, and Ross Butler as Zach Dempsey, portrayed a competitive athletes. Bryce Walker is played by Justin Prentice, who is most likely the antagonist in 13 Reasons Why.

Along with them are Timothy Granaderos as Monty de la Cruz, Grace Saif as Ani Achola, Devin Druid as Tyler Down, among others who contributed to the journey.


13 Reasons Why debuted in 2017 and ran for four fabulous seasons till 2020.

Edited by Priscillah Mueni