Katherine Langford Won’t Return to ’13 Reasons Why’ If Renewed
While there’s no word yet as to whether Netflix will be renewing 13 Reasons Why for a third season, we already know one key player who will not be returning. Katherine Langford, who plays Hannah Baker, will be officially saying goodbye to the pivotal season 1 character, sharing the news yesterday in an Instagram post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjNT-1sjWyn/?taken-by=katherinelangford
The caption reads:
“Hannah…I love you…and I let you go” Those are the words I was able to say six months ago, and now can finally share with you…As most of you know @13reasonswhy was my first ever job and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to tell Hannah’s story so fully in season 1, and to be asked back for a season 2. Thank you to @netflix @paramountpics @anoncontent , the incredible producers, creatives, cast and crew for making these last 2 years so special. And to all of you here – Thankyou for filling my life with love and light 🙏 This show will always be a special part of my life, and regardless of whether Hannah is there or not, I know that I will continue to strive to do work that is meaningful and has a positive impact – whether that be in film, music, or any other form of art. There is a lot coming up this next year, and I can’t wait to share it with you 💖
In essence, 13 Reasons Why was always Hannah Baker’s story. The original novel followed a group of people who received a box of tapes detailing what part they played in Hannah’s decision to commit suicide – all recorded by Hannah herself. Season 1 of the Netflix series was exactly the same, however, when the show was renewed for Season 2 it no longer became just Hannah’s story. The writers wanted to keep both Langford and Hannah around though and did so through flashbacks and by having her appear to Clay in the present day scenes as he navigates the trial.
While it may be difficult to imagine a 13 Reasons Why universe without Hannah Baker, as the series continues into other emotional and captivating stories with characters we’ve grown to know and care about, it feels natural to say goodbye. Obviously, her spirit would live on, especially through Clay, but if the series were to be renewed for a third season, having Langford/Hannah back would feel a bit forced and at the end of the day would probably hold the show back.
13 Reasons Why was Langford’s first major role, so it makes sense that she is ready to move on to other projects. Most recently she starred opposite Nick Robinson in Love, Simon and will soon be seen in Spontaneous alsongside Christopher Plummer. The movie follows “a high school senior discovers that she may spontaneously burst into flames at any moment.”
Are you sad to hear that Langford won’t be returning? What do you hope will happen in season 3?
Having studied Media & Writing at James Madison University, I always knew that I wanted to do some type of creative writing, but being able to write about zombies, Starks, and superheroes on a daily basis for Fan Fest is my actual dream. While I probably shouldn’t be as proud as I am to be so similar to Nick Miller, I do hope to one day write my own “Pepperwood Chronicles’.
