Is 13 Reasons Why based on a true story?
13 REASONS Why made a BIG impact on Netflix viewers when the first series dropped in 2017. With its harrowing tale of suicide, rape and drugs, some fans have wondered if it is based on a true story. 13 Reasons Why is a critically acclaimed series which is known for tackling difficult themes such as sexual assault and suicide. Although the show touches on events that have happened in real life, it is not based on a true story. The series is actually based on the novel of the same name by Jay Asher, which was published back in 2007. All of the characters in the book are fictional, as are the ones on screen. After 17-year-old Hannah Baker committed suicide by slitting her arms her school locker becomes a memorial adorned with students' letters and her pictures. Clay Jensen comes home from school to find a shoebox, on his doorstep. It contains 7 audio cassette tapes that contain a recording on each of them on each side of them of Hannah explaining the 13 reasons why she chose to end her life. Hannah warns listeners to follow certain rules; everyone mentioned on the tapes must listen to the complete set then pass it along to the next person addressed. If they fail to do so, the second set of tapes, held by personal friend Tony Padilla, who is not on the tapes, will be released. As Clay listens to the tapes, on which Hannah narrates the series of events that led to her suicide, he grieves for the loss of his best friends and crush and secrets come out. As mentioned above, the initial story was about Hannah Baker. But after her tragic tale came to a natural end at the end of season 2, due to the show's popularity, producers decided to continue the series. 13 Reasons Why ran for four seasons in the end until 2020, and you can watch them all on Netflix right now.