We also expand on that world that Hannah Baker lived in, and we’re able to see more of what happened around Hannah and not just what happens between Hannah and Clay. Langford: The novel has such a huge fan base that Brian Yorkey and Jay Asher worked really closely making sure the show adheres quite strongly to what is in the book. Jay knew that my mom and I would be behind it for years, no matter how long it took to take it to that place. It can teeter on the line of being a little too preachy. From that point on, a lot of people wanted to make it something that it wasn’t.

Originally, my mom and I found the project because I wanted it to be a transition piece. Gomez: A book is frightening for me because I know the cult following it has, which is the reason why I didn’t want to be in it. THR spoke with Gomez and Langford about relating to the show’s lead, Hannah, and what a second season could look like.Ĭan you talk about the challenges of adapting and bringing Asher’s best-selling book to the screen? “I see myself as Hannah so much,” she says. “I wanted it to feel like anyone can see themselves in this.” The singer and actress was originally attached to star as Hannah in a movie adaptation of the best-seller when it was first optioned by Universal Pictures in 2011 before she decided to stick solely behind the camera on the project. In sharing Hannah’s story, the series shines light on socially current topics including harassment, bullying, rape, mental illness and teenage suicide.”It’s bizarre that we haven’t had any TV series or film that actually addresses these issues in a way that is parallel to people’s current knowledge of them,” Langford tells The Hollywood Reporter.Įxecutive producer Selena Gomez shares that sentiment.

Selena gomez at end of 13 reasons why 2