Alisha Boe plays Jessica on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and we honestly, couldn’t see anyone else in that role – however, it’s not the original part she went out for.
Speaking with W magazine in a new interview, the 21-year-old actress revealed that she actually auditioned for Hannah Baker (just like Anne Winters, who plays Chloe, did).
“I was so surprised when I booked 13 Reasons Why, because I originally auditioned for Hannah and was like, ‘There is no way I am going to book a lead on the show,’” she shared with the mag.
Although she didn’t get the role of Hannah, the show did like her as Jessica.
“I had read the book when I was 14, and it was one of my favorite books. When they asked me to audition for Jessica, I disconnected with it,” Alisha says. “She’s supposed to be a pretty, popular teenager, and in my head, just from being brainwashed from all these breakdowns growing up, it’s a blonde girl with blue eyes.”
She adds, “But since Brian [Yorkey, showrunner] and all of them are so inclusive with their casting, they didn’t even think about it. It was my first time being able to be separated from being someone’s best friend, or being the butt of the joke, or an accessory. It was a dream come true for me. I didn’t expect it to come that fast.”
