Before they navigated the hallways of Liberty High in the hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, the cast members were already making their mark in the entertainment world. From guest appearances in popular TV dramas to roles in well-loved sitcoms, the actors who brought Clay, Hannah, and the rest of the 13 Reasons Why characters to life have a diverse and interesting history on screen. Let’s take a look at where you might have seen the cast of 13 Reasons Why before they stepped into their roles in this impactful teen drama.
Dylan Minnette
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Dylan Minnette captivated audiences as Clay Jensen, the introspective protagonist of 13 Reasons Why. However, Minnette’s career began long before his time at Liberty High. He actually made his television debut in a 2005 episode of Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh. From there, his early career saw him taking on roles as young versions of established characters. He portrayed a younger Michael Scofield in Prison Break, and even appeared in Lost as David Shephard, the son of Jack and Juliet. Minnette also showcased his range in Saving Grace as Clay Norman and in Scandal as Jerry Grant Jr., the First Son, proving his versatility across genres before landing his breakout role in 13 Reasons Why.
Christian Navarro
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Christian Navarro brought depth and complexity to the character of Tony Padilla in 13 Reasons Why, the supportive friend with a mysterious edge. Ten years prior to becoming Tony, Navarro made his first foray into television in a 2007 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He further honed his skills with appearances in popular series such as Blue Bloods, where he played a police officer, and The Affair as Jed. Navarro also featured in Vinyl as Jorge, demonstrating his acting prowess in diverse roles and setting the stage for his impactful performance in 13 Reasons Why.
Justin Prentice
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Justin Prentice played the controversial role of Bryce Walker in 13 Reasons Why, a character that sparked much discussion. Before taking on this challenging role, Prentice built up his resume with appearances in various television shows. He was Cash Gallagher in the comedy Malibu Country, Brody in the quirky zombie series iZombie, and Patrick in Awkward. These roles showcased his ability to handle different genres, from comedy to drama, before his impactful portrayal of Bryce in the Netflix teen drama.
Devin Druid
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Devin Druid portrayed Tyler Down in 13 Reasons Why, a character who experiences significant development throughout the series. Druid’s on-screen journey began three years before landing this role. He played a young Louie in the comedy-drama Louie, a young Christopher in the miniseries Olive Kitteridge, and also appeared in an episode of the political thriller House of Cards as Danny. These early roles provided Druid with valuable experience before his prominent part in 13 Reasons Why.
Miles Heizer
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Miles Heizer played Alex Standall in 13 Reasons Why, a character grappling with personal struggles. Prior to his role at Liberty High, Heizer was well-known for his five-year stint as Drew Holt in the popular NBC drama Parenthood. Earlier in his career, he also had a recurring role in ER as Joshua Lipnicki in 2007. Heizer’s experience in both medical and family dramas laid a solid foundation for his nuanced performance in 13 Reasons Why.
Alisha Boe
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Alisha Boe brought to life Jessica Davis in 13 Reasons Why, a character dealing with complex issues of friendship and recovery. Before her role in the Netflix series, Boe had accumulated a variety of television credits. She played Daphne in the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, Becca in Casual, Grace Clarke in CSI: Cyber, Janet in Ray Donovan, Gwen in Teen Wolf, and even appeared in the pilot of Trophy Wife as Chelsea Trassen. This extensive and diverse background in television prepared her for the impactful role of Jessica in 13 Reasons Why.
Brandon Flynn
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Brandon Flynn portrayed Justin Foley in 13 Reasons Why, a character who undergoes significant changes throughout the series. Flynn’s on-screen career was just beginning when he joined 13 Reasons Why. His only previous credit was a 2016 appearance in BrainDead, where he played Mike the Intern. 13 Reasons Why marked a significant step forward for Flynn, launching him into wider recognition.
Ross Butler
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Ross Butler played Zach Dempsey in 13 Reasons Why, a character whose actions have far-reaching consequences. Interestingly, while filming 13 Reasons Why, Butler was also starring as Reggie Mantle in Riverdale. His other prior roles include Hunter in Chasing Life, Brett in K.C. Undercover, and Nathan in Teen Wolf. Butler’s simultaneous roles in 13 Reasons Why and Riverdale highlighted his rising star in the teen drama scene.
Ajiona Alexus
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Ajiona Alexus played Sheri Holland in 13 Reasons Why, a character who grapples with guilt and responsibility. Alexus began her on-screen journey as DeAnna in The Rickey Smiley Show. She then went on to appear in Grey’s Anatomy as Marissa McKay and portrayed a young Cookie in the musical drama Empire. These diverse roles in comedy, medical drama, and musical drama showcased her talent before she took on the role of Sheri in 13 Reasons Why.
Katherine Langford
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Katherine Langford delivered a powerful and memorable performance as Hannah Baker in 13 Reasons Why. Remarkably, 13 Reasons Why was Langford’s on-screen debut after only appearing in a short film. Her portrayal of Hannah Baker immediately garnered critical acclaim and launched her career. Following 13 Reasons Why, she reteamed with co-star Miles Heizer in the movie Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, further solidifying her presence in Hollywood.
The cast of 13 Reasons Why brought depth and authenticity to a series that tackled difficult but important topics. Their prior experiences in a range of television shows helped them to deliver compelling performances that resonated with audiences worldwide, making 13 Reasons Why the impactful series it became.
