’13 Reasons Why’ Actor Ross Butler Talks About the Show’s Legacy

Ross Butler opens up about the show’s conclusion and what he hopes viewers take away from the series.

In the fourth and final season of 13 Reasons Why, the students of Liberty High unite as they cover up the death of Bryce Walker. Ross Butler’s character Zach Dempsey struggles not only with his role in Bryce’s demise, but also accepting that his athletic career is over, his addiction to drugs and alcohol, and being in danger of not graduating.

Everything has led to this. Watch the trailer for the final season, dropping June 5th. pic.twitter.com/3Dn3k2EG5X

— 13 Reasons Why (@13ReasonsWhy) May 20, 2020

Ever since the show’s first season was released on Netflix back in 2017, it sparked headlines and studies about the effects of its dark subject matter on audiences. But in Butler’s opinion, that won’t be its legacy. To him, the biggest lesson from the show is the necessity of community.

“Throughout the show, the one lesson that we keep pushing over and over is that you need each other. You build a community, and that is the community that you turn to for inspiration, that you turn for advice, to help take care of you and for you to take care of them,” Butler said to E!.

Speaking of community, Butler has been active on social media as an ally to the Black community. Amid the resurgence of Black Lives Matter, he has been speaking on behalf of the Asian community in their support of Black lives as well as showing his appreciation for his Black co-stars.

If you haven’t seen the thrilling conclusion to 13 Reasons Why yet, be sure to stream it on Netflix now.