Finally: The Graphic Suicide Scene From ‘13 Reasons Why’ Is Being Removed

The show faced tons of backlash for airing it to begin with.

By Starr Bowenbank
Jul 17, 2019
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  • Two years after 13 Reasons Why was released on Netflix, the creators and producers of the show have decided to remove the graphic scene showing Hannah Baker’s suicide.
  • The showrunners and producers came to the decision after consulting with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

    Warning: This post contains spoilers from season 1 of 13 Reasons Why and mentions of the show’s suicide scene.

    It’s been two years since 13 Reasons Why first aired on Netflix. The show, which revolved around high school student Hannah Baker and her death by suicide, details the emotions she experienced that contributed to her decision to take her life as well as the roles her peers played. The show has gotten a lot of criticism for how it has discussed suicide. Now, one of the show’s most criticized scenes—Hannah graphically dying by suicide in the season 1 finale—is being removed after careful consideration.

    According to a Netflix statement released earlier today, the show’s creators and producers consulted with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and decided that it would be best to remove the scene 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 the statement. “As we prepare to launch season 3 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 1.”

    Instead of showing the scene where Hannah dies, the Hollywood Reporter states the newly edited scene will feature Hannah looking in the mirror and then immediately cut to her parents’ reaction to her suicide. In addition to removing the scene, Netflix will also be on the lookout for pirate clips that feature the original, uncut version of the suicide scene uploaded to sites like YouTube.

    “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,” Yorkey said in the statement.

    Credit: Cosmopolitan

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