The second season of 13 Reasons Why brought the late Hannah Baker back in quite the unusual way. Portrayed by Katherine Langford, Hannah — who died by suicide weeks before the events of the first season of the Netflix series — returned to 13 Reasons Why as a "ghost" of her former self. Of course, she wasn't really a spirit, but a hallucination conjured up by Clay (Dylan Minnette), who was still reeling from the loss of his friend and crush.
Now, however, it seems 13 Reasons Why is ready to finally close the book on Hannah's story. That means that, no, Langford won't return as Hannah for season 3 of 13 Reasons Why, should the series receive a renewal from Netflix.
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The news comes from Langford's new interview with Entertainment Weekly. Of her exit from the controversial-yet-wildly-popular series, she told the publication:
"The challenge was when you tell a character's story so fully, and then you have to come back as a version of her that’s filtered through other people’s eyes; that required a lot of trust. I guess if I could put Hannah’s life into season 1 and then say it was kind of like being in purgatory for season 2, and then being able to officially say goodbye to her. It definitely felt like time. For me, letting Hannah go was in season 1; season 2 was for Clay to let her go. It was being able to assist Clay on that journey as Hannah and let Clay have his moment to let Hannah go."
Langford also shared her own goodbye to Hannah on her Instagram:
Despite season 2 of 13 Reasons Why receiving mixed reviews, I, personally, thought that it was a necessary continuation of Hannah's story. It humanized her in a way the first season did not. It made it clear that while Hannah wasn't always "perfect" — as Clay once believed her to be — she did not deserve to be bullied, harassed, or sexually assaulted. No person does.
But a third season featuring Hannah might send the wrong message. Suicide is a permanent decision. Hannah's story was already told post-mortem through her tapes in season 1, and then through her classmates' testimonies during the trial of season 2. Now, it's time the show truly illustrates a world without her, because Hannah left a lot behind when she died by suicide.
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Hannah is dead, and that's a tragedy. Ultimately, however, her death is something that her family and friends will move on from. As Clay puts it in season 2, "I can love you, and I can let you go." The people Hannah left behind will go on to lead full lives, but Hannah never will.
As for Langford herself, I will miss her presence. Fortunately, the star is moving on to big things, like upcoming film Spontaneous and (fingers crossed!) maybe even a sequel to Love, Simon.
"13 Reasons Why will always be a really special part of my life, and I know I’ll always be close to the people that I’ve worked with on this show. But I’m also really excited for what’s to come," Langford told EW.
Langford told Hannah's story with such careful consideration, I can't wait to see what story she decides to tell next.
If you or someone you know is considering self-harm, please get help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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