<P> 13 Reasons Why (stylized onscreen as Th1rteen R3asons Why) is an American drama - mystery 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 committed suicide 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> Diana Son and Brian Yorkey 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 casting, 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, scheduled to premiere in 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 committed suicide two weeks earlier . On tape, 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 . And after each person has completed listening to the tapes, they must pass the package on to the next person . If anyone decides to break 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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