Netflix’s ’13 Reasons Why’ Renewed For Second Season

Netflix’s new series 13 Reasons Why will be back for a second season despite the controversy it has created. Selena Gomez, one of the show’s executive producers, announced the renewal on Instagram.

“The story isn’t over. Season 2 of #13ReasonsWhy is coming,” Gomez’s caption read. The video Gomez posted showed different settings from the show’s first season.

13 Reasons Why has received backlash over its depiction of teen suicide. Mental health experts, teachers, and parents have warned against the show suggesting that it may inspire copycat behavior because of its glorification of suicide among teens.

Gomez has come out in defense of the show. “We wanted to do [the book] justice and yea, [the backlash is] going to come no matter what. It’s not an easy subject to talk about but I am very fortunate with how it’s doing and I’m overwhelmed, very proud of it,” Gomez told reporters.

Since hearing the concerns from people around the country, Netflix decided to add several warnings before the more graphic episodes. They also added resources for teens and adults to use if they are in fact feeling suicidal.

Speaking on a separate occasion about the show’s renewal, Gomez said there is more story to explore. “We don’t know what is going to go beyond it, but we know there are so many stories that lie beneath each character,” Gomez told The Hollywood Reporter. “That’s why it became a series in the first place. So we’ll see.”

The show is based on the book by Jay Asher and the second season will go beyond what the author has already written. “I’d thought of a sequel at some point. I’d brainstormed it, but decided I wasn’t going to write it,” Asher told EW. “So I’d love to see it.”