Dylan Minnette, star of “13 Reasons Why,” has shared why he stepped back from acting and what might bring him back to the screen.
A few years after his breakthrough role in the controversial Netflix series “13 Reasons Why,” Minnette, now 27, decided to take a hiatus from acting. He has since opened up about his reasons and what would motivate his return to the industry.
Minnette portrayed Clay Jensen, a high school student who investigates the reasons behind his classmate Hannah’s suicide. The series, known for its graphic depictions of sensitive topics like rape and suicide, sparked global debate and led Netflix to add trigger warnings before each episode. Despite the controversy, “13 Reasons Why” became Minnette’s defining role.
In an interview with Zach Sang, Minnette explained his decision to pause his acting career. “I’ve been acting for a long time and was fortunate to find success, especially with ’13 Reasons Why,'” Minnette said. “But it started to feel like a job.”
While he always found acting enjoyable and inspiring, the routine began to wear on him. This shift led him to focus on another passion: music. Minnette is a member of the rock band Wallows and felt it was the right time to dedicate himself fully to this endeavor. “Wallows and music have always been a passion for us. I wanted to put 100 percent of my time and energy into it and show the world we’re a real band,” he explained.
Minnette feels privileged to be in a position where he can take a break and pursue his musical interests. However, he hasn’t completely ruled out a return to acting. He mentioned wanting to take on a role last year, but the opportunity coincided with the SAG-AFTRA strikes. He joked about potentially returning to acting in 2026 and expressed that he still has something to offer artistically and creatively in fields beyond music.
For now, Minnette is focused on his music career, but fans can hope to see him back on screen when the time feels right for him. “At some point, when Wallows is ready for a break, I’ll have the perfect inspiration to act again,” he concluded.
