Netflix is going to edit the controversial graphic suicide scene in 13 Reasons Why’s season one finale after two years.
“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 show said in a statement on Twitter on Tuesday.
“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.”
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
The nearly three-minute-long scene that has been cut aired in the middle of season one’s final episode. Prior to the episode, a warning was placed that said “may not be suitable for younger audiences” and included “graphic depictions of violence and suicide.”
The new scene, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, now has the main character looking in a mirror before the scene cuts to her parents reacting to her suicide.
Netflix intends to “monitor and issue take-downs for any pirated clips that feature the original, unedited scene,” the article said.
In another statement, show creator Brian Yorkey said: “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, as much the bestselling book did before us. 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 3, we have heard concerns about the scene from Dr. Christine Moutier at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and others, and we 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
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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