It’s been years since the tapes stopped spinning. When Netflix first dropped 13 Reasons Why back in 2017, the world basically lost its collective mind. It was controversial. It was loud. It was everywhere. But for the actors from 13 reasons why, that show wasn't just a breakout hit; it was a total baptism by fire. One day they’re relatively unknown kids in Liberty High hoodies, and the next, they’re the faces of a global conversation about mental health, trauma, and the dark side of social media.
You’ve probably seen them popping up in your favorite indie movies or starring in massive blockbusters recently. Honestly, the trajectory of this cast is kinda insane. They didn't just fade away like a lot of teen drama stars. Instead, they’ve branched out into everything from horror flicks to major musical careers.
The Katherine Langford and Dylan Minnette Effect
Let’s talk about Katherine Langford. She was the heart of the first two seasons as Hannah Baker. People forget she’s actually Australian because her accent was so spot-on. After she left the show, she didn't just stick to the teen genre. She landed a Golden Globe nomination—which is huge for a debut role—and then pivoted to projects like Knives Out. Remember her as Meg Thrombey? Total 180 from Hannah. She also led the Arthurian reimagining Cursed on Netflix. She’s selective. She’s smart about her roles.
Dylan Minnette is a different story. He was Clay Jensen. For four seasons, he carried the weight of that show on his shoulders. But if you’ve been paying attention, Dylan’s heart always seemed to be in his music. His band, Wallows, is legit. They aren't just some "actor's side project." They’ve played Coachella, sold out world tours, and have millions of monthly listeners on Spotify.
Dylan’s acting has become more sporadic by choice. He appeared in the 2022 Scream relaunch—shoutout to the Wes Hicks fans—and Hulu's The Dropout. He’s picky. He’s said in interviews that the music satisfies a different part of his brain. It’s cool to see someone who reached that level of TV fame just decide to play guitar in a garage-rock-turned-indie-pop band instead of chasing every Marvel role that comes along.
Why some actors stayed in the spotlight and others pivoted
Success isn't linear. Not for these guys.
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Alisha Boe, who played Jessica Davis, has been doing some of the most interesting work of the whole group. She was incredible in Do Revenge on Netflix, showing off a comedic timing we didn't see much of in the heavy scenes of 13 Reasons Why. She also starred in Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut, When You Finish Saving the World. She feels like an "actor's actor."
Then you have Brandon Flynn. Justin Foley was arguably the most complex character redemption arc in the series. Brandon has taken that intensity into shows like Ratched and the Hellraiser reboot. He has this old-school movie star vibe, right? Like he belongs in a gritty 70s drama.
The Breakthroughs Nobody Saw Coming
You might have missed some of the smaller roles that turned into big deals.
- Ross Butler: He was already in Riverdale briefly, but 13 Reasons Why made him a household name. He moved into the DCEU with Shazam! and its sequel. He’s basically become the go-to guy for the "jock with a heart of gold" trope, but he's been trying to break out of that lately with more romantic lead roles.
- Miles Heizer: Alex Standall was a tough role. Since the show ended, Miles has been more low-key, but he remains a fashion icon and appeared in the film Love, Simon.
- Devin Druid: The Tyler Down storyline was… a lot. It was arguably the most controversial part of the later seasons. Devin’s performance was hauntingly good. Since then, he’s appeared in the horror film Greyhound alongside Tom Hanks. Imagine going from a high school set to a Tom Hanks movie. Wild.
The heavy lifting of mental health advocacy
Being part of the actors from 13 reasons why isn't just about the acting credits. Because the show dealt with suicide, sexual assault, and bullying, these actors became accidental activists.
They weren't just doing press junkets about what they ate for lunch. They were answering questions about depression and trauma. Kate Walsh, who played Hannah’s mother, often spoke about how the cast had to be supported by on-site therapists. That’s not a normal work environment. It bonded them in a way that’s pretty rare in Hollywood. You still see them hanging out on Instagram. It’s not "PR friendship." It’s "we went through something intense together" friendship.
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Navigating the "Teen Star" Stigma
Hollywood loves to pigeonhole people. If you play a high schooler for four years, casting directors sometimes struggle to see you as an adult.
Christian Navarro, who played Tony Padilla, has been vocal about the hustle. Tony was such a specific character—the leather jacket, the vintage car, the "wise beyond his years" vibe. Breaking out of that requires taking roles that are the polar opposite.
We see this with Justin Prentice too. Playing Bryce Walker—one of the most hated villains in recent TV history—is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it proves you have incredible range because, by all accounts, Justin is the nicest guy ever. On the other hand, people see your face and immediately feel visceral anger. That’s the mark of a great actor, but it makes the post-show career path a bit of a maze.
Where they are heading in 2026
The industry has changed since the show wrapped. We’re in a post-peak-TV world.
Some of the cast members have moved behind the camera. Others have leaned into the fashion world. Tommy Dorfman, who played Ryan Shaver, has become a massive force in the fashion industry and an important voice for the trans community. Her journey has been one of the most visible and inspiring evolutions of the entire cast. She’s directing now, too. Her debut feature, I Wish You All The Best, proves she’s got a vision that goes way beyond being in front of a lens.
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It's fascinating. You look at the actors from 13 reasons why and you don't see a "where are they now" slideshow of forgotten faces. You see a blueprint for how to survive a massive, controversial hit and come out the other side with a real career.
Making Sense of the Legacy
The show is still a lightning rod. Talk to five different people about 13 Reasons Why and you’ll get five different opinions on whether it should have even been made. But the talent of the cast is the one thing most people actually agree on.
They didn't just play tropes. They made those characters feel like people we actually knew. That’s why we’re still talking about them. Whether it’s Dylan Minnette playing a sold-out show in London or Katherine Langford filming a period piece in Europe, the Liberty High alumni are doing just fine.
They’ve managed to shed the "teen drama" label while keeping the fanbase that grew up with them. That’s a hard needle to thread. Most fail. They didn't.
Actionable insights for fans and followers
If you're trying to keep up with the cast, don't just look at the IMDb pages. That’s only half the story.
- Follow the music: If you haven't listened to Wallows, start with the album Nothing Happens. It gives you a much better sense of Dylan Minnette’s artistic voice than any interview ever could.
- Watch the indies: Look for Alisha Boe and Brandon Flynn in smaller, independent films. That’s where they’re doing their most "unfiltered" work.
- Check out the directorial debuts: Keep an eye on Tommy Dorfman’s production credits. The shift from acting to directing is a major trend for this specific cast.
- Revisit with nuance: If you ever rewatch the show, pay attention to the background actors and smaller supporting roles. You’ll see faces that have since popped up in Stranger Things, The Bear, and big-budget Marvel projects.
The Liberty High chapter is closed, but the careers of these actors are really just getting into their second act. It’s a lot less about the tapes now and a lot more about the craft.