More than two years after the 13 Reasons Why season 1 finale caused immense controversy over its graphic suicide scene, Netflix has announced that on the guidance of medical professionals, they will be removing parts of the episode from their worldwide platform.
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The streaming giant took to Twitter to release a statement, saying that in the lead-up to the third season of the controversial series, they’ve taken the public backlash into considering and consulted medical experts for advice on how best to proceed.
“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,” the statement reads.
An update on 13 Reasons Why
If you or someone you know needs help finding crisis resources please visit https://t.co/YFusfLSWnK pic.twitter.com/XLYYYUxexx
— 13 Reasons Why (@13ReasonsWhy) July 16, 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.”
In the new scene, Hannah looks at herself in the mirror, then we see her parents’ reaction to her death.
Series creator Brian Yorkey also added the following statement:
“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 best-selling book did before us. Our creative intent in portraying the ugly, painful reality of suicide in such graphic detail in season one 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.”
A statement from our show creator Brian Yorkey. pic.twitter.com/J6XiD9LVkU
— 13 Reasons Why (@13ReasonsWhy) July 16, 2019
