More than two years after the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why came under fire for including a graphic suicide scene in its Season 1 finale, the network has decided to remove the clip from the show.
“We’ve heard from many young people that 13 Reasons Why encouraged them to start conversations about difficult issues like depression and suicide and get help — often for the first time,” Netflix said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on July 15, 2019. “As we prepare to launch season three later this summer, we’ve been mindful about the ongoing debate around the show. So on the advice of medical experts, including Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we’ve decided with creator Brian Yorkey and the producers to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from season one.”
The scene originally showed Hannah Baker, played by Katherine Langford, taking her own life in great detail. Now, the segment shows the actress staring at her own reflection in the mirror before cutting straight to her parents’ reaction.
“It was our hope, in making 13 Reasons Why into a television show, to tell a story that would help young viewers feel seen and heard, and encourage empathy in all who viewed it, much as the bestselling book did before us,” the showrunner added. “Our creative intent in portraying the ugly, painful reality of suicide in such graphic detail in Season 1 was to tell the truth about the horror of such an act, and make sure no one would ever wish to emulate it. But as we ready to launch season three, we have heard concerns about the scene from Dr. Christine Moutier at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and others, and have agreed with Netflix to re-edit it. No one scene is more important than the life of the show, and its message that we must take better care of each other. We believe this edit will help the show do the most good for the most people while mitigating any risk for especially vulnerable young viewers.”
The show also stars Dylan Minnette, Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, Justin Prentice, Ross Butler and more. One of the stars of the series, Zach Prusak, wrote on Twitter on June 11, 2019, that the third season would premiere in October 2019. The tweet has now been deleted.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, there are many resources available. Please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Both are available 24/7.
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