<P> 13 Reasons Why (stylized onscreen as TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY) is an American mystery teen drama web television series based on the 2007 novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and adapted by Brian Yorkey for Netflix . The series revolves around a high school student, Clay Jensen, and his friend Hannah Baker, a girl who takes her own life after suffering a series of demoralizing circumstances brought on by select individuals at her school . A box of cassette tapes recorded by Hannah before her suicide details thirteen reasons why she ended her life . </P> <P> Yorkey and Diana Son serve as showrunners on the series . The first season consists of thirteen episodes . The series is produced by July Moon Productions, Kicked to the Curb Productions, Anonymous Content and Paramount Television . Originally conceived as a film set to be released by Universal Pictures with Selena Gomez in the role of Hannah Baker, the adaptation was picked up as a television series by Netflix in late 2015 . Gomez serves as an executive producer . The first season, and the special 13 Reasons Why: Beyond the Reasons, were released worldwide on Netflix on March 31, 2017 . </P> <P> The series has received largely positive reviews from critics and audiences, who have praised its subject matter and acting, particularly the two leads, Dylan Minnette and Katherine Langford . It has attracted controversy from some, including mental health professionals, over the series' graphic depiction of issues such as suicide and rape, along with other mature content . In May 2017, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season, which is set to debut on May 18, 2018 . </P> <P> Teenager Clay Jensen returns home from school one day to find a mysterious box lying on his porch . Inside, he discovers seven double - sided cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and unrequited love, who tragically took her own life two weeks earlier . On the tapes, Hannah unfolds an emotional audio diary, detailing the thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life . Her instructions are clear: each person who receives the package is one of the reasons why she killed herself . After each person finishes listening to the tapes, they must pass the package on to the next person . If anyone breaks the chain, a separate set of tapes will be released to the public . Each tape is addressed to a select person in her school, and details their involvement in her eventual suicide . </P>

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