This post contains spoilers about 13 Reasons Why season two.
One of the new characters on season two of 13 Reasons Why is Chloe, Liberty High’s new head cheerleader who’s also dating Bryce. Despite everyone’s testimonies during Hannah’s and Bryce’s respective trials, and the outcomes of both trials, Chloe more or less stands by her boyfriend’s side. As Bryce tells Zach in the season finale, Chloe has “loyalty… it’s a thing, eh?” which also serves as a dig to Zach, who distances himself from Bryce this season. According to Anne Winters, who plays Chloe, the character is more complicated than what Bryce sees. “I didn’t know what Chloe’s true intention was and that was my biggest question going into it,” she says. “It was a mystery to me the whole time.” Cosmopolitan.com recently spoke to Winters about what it was like to play Chloe, her most difficult scene to film, and her biggest hopes for Chloe if season three is a go.
On being one of the newbies on set
It was one of the easiest casts [to join]. They were so happy. I remember, my friend Samantha Logan — who plays Nina — we found out on the same day that we both got the roles for 13 Reasons. We flew in together, went straight to a fitting, and Ross Butler and Justin Prentice were both there and they were so excited to have new cast members on set. I was like, “Oh my god they are so excited.” I felt so welcomed. Everyone just became a family super fast.
On Selena Gomez, who returned to the show as a producer
I had only met her at our wrap party. I don’t know if she was on set this season. I think she was pretty busy this past year. I think after the first season she didn’t feel the need to be on set as much. But she’s super sweet and obviously I’m super happy that she’s part of the show. She’s also from Dallas, Texas and we have a lot of mutual friends, so it was like, “Oh, it’s a small world!”
On her most difficult scene to film: the pool house scene
[Ed. note: This scene begins with Bryce and Chloe making out on the couch. He proceeds to take her clothes off and tries to initiate sex. She says no and tries to leave. He locks the door behind her and she reluctantly resumes.]
I feel like if you’ve had sex with someone, in a guy’s mind, that means whenever is fine. But I think Chloe represents also the girls that are [like], “No, if I don’t want to, I shouldn’t.” It shouldn’t be an obvious thing, ever, no matter what… You don’t know if it’s right or wrong and I don’t think she does either, but that’s why it’s just… uncomfortable. Every time the camera would cut, we would move on, joke around, have fun, and just know that we’re getting to portray these really real characters and at the same time, it’s not our lives. We leave it on set and that’s it.
Justin was a god send. He’s the funniest person in the world and he’s so, literally, a million times the opposite of his character. It was really nice to work with him. He was always making sure I was comfortable, everything felt very home-y and safe, so not stressful at all. It was amazing.
On Chloe’s decision to support Bryce instead of Jessica during her testimony
I think it’s basically rounds up to: I was in a relationship, and any girl in high school that’s in a relationship, as much as she wants to say that she values her friends and she values girls over the guy, she doesn’t. I think that she was trying to protect Bryce but try to [keep] good reputation with her girls and her peers. I think she also just gets really intimidated by Bryce. She’s so ready to go in [court] and go against Bryce. And then when she sees him and looks into this person’s eyes... it’s someone you love, you realize that, how can I do that to someone?
On first learning about Chloe's pregnancy
I literally screamed and freaked out. I was like, “Oh my god, I’m pregnant.” That makes so much sense. I was wondering, “Why does she keep going back to him?” I feel like if you are pregnant, there’s something in you that’s like, “No, this is my person.” I hope that that’s a bit of a reason too, that people can see why she’s doing what she’s doing. She doesn’t tell him, she tells Jessica, who isn’t even really her friend, but is someone she can now relate to and really trust. I think that that was a really cool moment. I was shocked though. In the script, it ends with, “I’m pregnant,” dot, dot, dot. And that’s the last time you see me. Well, hopefully, season three, we can work on the dot, dot, dot.
On her plans for Chloe if the show gets renewed
There are so many ways it could go. She could stick with Bryce. I would like to see her realize that he’s probably not a good guy, but maybe, if anything, she could help him realize why. Maybe just be a voice in his head? I feel like too, a big problem with Bryce is maybe he doesn’t realize why he’s doing what he’s doing. That’s also a big question that you see in season two. Maybe Chloe can shed some light on that aspect. A part of me wants to see her have the baby and give it up for adoption and there’s a part of me that’s like, I don’t want to be in a pregnancy suit for an entire season. I don’t know.
On season one’s controversy following the explicit depiction of Hannah’s suicide
I think it’s controversy for a reason. That’s what we want to do as actors. We want to bring light to things that people are confused about and we shed a light on important topics that are controversial but also relate to a lot of people in a lot of ways. Whether people like it or not, it’s big deal, it gets talked about and that’s what matters. I love being part of a controversial show.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Crisis Text Line is also available; text REASON to 741741. You can find additional support, services, and resources at 13ReasonsWhy.info.
