Thirteen Reasons Why characters

Appears from the start

A quiet, conscientious high-school student who receives a box of cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker after her death. His name is somewhere in her sequence of thirteen people, and he spends a long night following her recorded directions around town while fearing what part he played in her decision.

Appears from the start

Clay's classmate, who recently died by suicide after making a set of tapes for the people she says contributed to her despair. Her recorded voice guides Clay through the history of rumors, betrayals, and failed attempts at connection that changed her life at school.

Appears from the start

Hannah's first kiss after she moves to town. He allows a false, sexually suggestive version of their harmless meeting to circulate, giving Hannah a reputation that begins shaping how other students treat her.

First appears in chapter 2

A student who initially befriends Hannah and Jessica after all three arrive at school as newcomers. His joking list comparing girls' bodies reinforces Hannah's unwanted reputation and helps fracture the trio's friendship.

First appears in chapter 3

One of Hannah's first friends in town. After the friendship among Hannah, Jessica, and Alex breaks down, Jessica believes a rumor that Hannah pursued Alex and angrily confronts her.

First appears in chapter 4

A student photographer who secretly watches Hannah through her bedroom window. His invasion makes her feel unsafe even in her own home and leads her to stage a scene intended to expose him.

First appears in chapter 5

A popular student admired for her friendly public image. She asks Hannah to help protect that image, then uses Hannah as social cover and permits another damaging rumor rather than defend her.

First appears in chapter 6

A student who invites Hannah on a date arranged through a school fundraiser. He arrives late with friends as an audience and disregards her boundaries, turning the meeting into another public humiliation.

First appears in chapter 7

A well-liked athlete whom Hannah once quietly admires. After she rejects his attempt to comfort her, he retaliates by removing encouraging notes from her classroom paper bag, destroying a small source of hope.

First appears in chapter 8

The editor of the school's literary magazine. He praises Hannah's writing but prints one of her poems without permission, allowing classmates to analyze and ridicule feelings she had shared privately.

Appears from the start

Clay's friend and one of the people connected to Hannah's tapes. He seems to know what Clay is experiencing, lends him a portable cassette player, and remains available while Clay listens.

First appears in chapter 11

A cheerleader who leaves a party after giving Hannah a ride. Distracted while driving, she knocks down a stop sign and refuses Hannah's urgent plea to report the hazard.

First appears in chapter 10

A physically imposing, privileged student whose predatory behavior is widely tolerated by his peers. Hannah names him late in the tapes when recounting the gravest violations surrounding the parties she attended.

First appears in chapter 13

Hannah's communications teacher and school counselor. She approaches him near the end of her account, trying indirectly to explain that she has been assaulted and no longer wants to live.

First appears in chapter 13

A former friend of Clay who has withdrawn from other students and is now treated as an outsider. Clay notices her isolation and recognizes a chance to respond differently to someone who may be in pain.