WARNING: This article contains spoilers for 13 Reasons Why Season 3 that may influence your enjoyment in discovering the plotlines. Read at your own risk.
13 Reasons Why season 3, which dropped on Netflix on Aug. 23, 2019, has a new controversy in its midst. Its new cast member, Grace Saif, has decided to quit social media after receiving a lot of hateful comments from the fans of the teen series.
Saif joins 13 Reasons Why season 3 as the new student Ani Achola. She also serves as the narrator of this latest installment which focuses on the death of Bryce (played by Justin Prentice).
Ani tells viewers of 13 Reasons Why season 3 what she knows and observes from the people around Bryce. By the end of the show, however, viewers learn that she's confessing her involvement in the death of Bryce to Deputy Standall at the police station.
Fans had strong reactions for the new girl who was surprisingly very familiar about everyone at Liberty High School. Some took their disgust for the character too far by bullying the actress on social media.
As a result, Saif deleted all of her post on Instagram and also erased her Twitter account. When she could no longer speak for herself online, her co-star Timothy Granaderos Jr. (as Monty de la Cruz), stepped up to defend her.
"Whether or not you support, like, or love, a character in our fictional tv show - please remember that there is a talented and beautiful actor/actress bringing those scripted words to life," the actor said. "Please try to be kind and respect the work of the talented actress/actor behind the character."
Anne Winters (As Chloe Rice) also talked to People about the bullying. She said that the hate is unwarranted since Ani, the character, is amazing while Saif is one of the sweetest girls in the cast.
The actress also said that adding the character of Ani was important to 13 Reasons Why season 3 because viewers needed to see another side of Bryce. Ani was living in the same house as Bryce since her mother is his grandfather's carer.
Meanwhile, Netflix has renewed 13 Reasons Why for a fourth and final season. Casting is currently underway, and there will be new faces as well. One of them would be veteran actor Gary Sinise, who will play Dr. Robert Ellman. He'll be helping Clay deal with depression and anxiety.
"A consummate actor and first-rate human, Gary brings the exact combination of toughness, smarts, and heart the character needs. We're all thrilled and honored to have him join us for this pivotal role in our final season," creator Brian Yorkey said in the casting announcement of Sinise.
