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Major spoilers for13 Reasons Whyseason two ahead.
Its always the quiet ones.
Its the summer that Zachs father died, and the summer after Hannah endured relentless slut-shaming from her peers.
But like summer, their relationship didnt last: Fearful of judgement, Zach shunned Hannah when school resumed.
(And further re-upping Butlers status asyour new favorite crush.)
Can you walk me through your decision toleaveRiverdalefor13 Reasons Why?
Reggies a great character, but its a different tone.
Reggies more outspoken, like that jock archetype.
Zach is too, but Zach has more colors, at least from what I saw.
Thankfully, it did.
But I had built something along those lines.
I had created this relationship between Hannah and Zach as being really strong.
It was really ambiguous, but I knew I wanted something very loving about it.
I dont know if it was love or not, but I definitely wanted something there.
That showed a lot of intimate scenes really tastefully, and really real.
And Zach pops back out like, Uh, I dont know.
It was really funny, but we decided that it would be nice to play it more straight.
Not really playing into the awkwardness of it, but more into the happiness of it.
When we actually had to do it, I personally didnt have any awkwardness at all.
It was comfortable and sweet.
But I have no complaints.
I appreciated that the show didnt just leave it at the first time.
It added that deeper level of intimacy to their relationship.I really liked that, too.
After the fact, we find out what we like and how to be good to each other.
The first time we do it, we werent experts.
We didnt know what we wanted to do, we just did what weve seen done in movies.
The way its written is very intimate.
Its finally a nice thing happening on this show.
It almost felt like a mini rom-com tucked into the season.
We get to have livelier music and warmer filters on the camera.
Everything is softer and nicer.
Unfortunately, I dont think anyone else did.
Its also what makes the outcome of their relationship all the more tragic.
High school isnt really built to handle a romance like that.We can all relate to that high-school drama.
Its about what you prioritize and what you feel in your heart, but theres also social pressures.
Thats the through line thats happening with Zach throughout the season.
I think you see his inner conflict through his eyes and how it manifests later in the season.
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At one point, he calls himself a coward.
Do you agree with that assessment?
Im not sure I do.I do.
Its a tough question.
It was probably her best shot at being saved.
Yes, he finally does in the end.
But how many times did he have to fail?
Not to make it gendered, but he grows up this season.
Where I do think he fails is being complicit in the rape culture at his high school.
Having your bros. On the playing field, thats one thing.
But when it comes to real life, you have to make that separation.
I definitely see him as part of the problem.
Silence is the worst route.
And all of this isunfolding amid #MeToo.
Every single day, there were all these new accusations coming out.
All these prominent people sharing their stories.
Every day wed come to set and we would all talk about it.
It was sad, but it motivated us.
We knew that we were on the right track; were tapping into something thats happening in real time.
We need to change, starting with the next generation.
Because this is something that hasnt been talked about in the history of Hollywood.
We feel like we have a responsibility to do so.
I actually had read for the lead role.
Wait, wait, wait.
Constance Wus love interest?
!Yeah, but I think I was just too young.
I mean, I was still playing a teenager so I cant be a professor at a college.
I dont think I was anywhere close [to being cast] because I was still playing a 16-year-old!
But I figured Id read for it anyway and see what happens.
I cant wait for that to come out though.
Its gonna show people that there is a culture that wants to see this jot down of story.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
