Netflix cuts graphic suicide scene from 13 Reasons Why season 1 finale

Along with critical praise and commercial success, the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why had to face a fair amount of backlash for its graphic depiction of suicide. Two years after the release of the first season, the streaming site reacts to the debate, announcing that they altered the three minute long scene from the season 1 finale, in which protagonist Hannah takes her own life.

The scene in question graphically depicted Hannah's suicide, showing the young woman cutting her wrists with a razor blade. In the altered version Hannah can be seen looking into a mirror, then the scene cuts to her mother who finds her in the bathroom.

"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 of 13 Reasons Why to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from Season 1", the Netflix statement reads.

An update on 13 Reasons Why

If you or someone you know needs help finding crisis resources please visit https://t.co/cNtjtuNG1p pic.twitter.com/SxGjbYpZF6

— Netflix (@netflix) July 16, 2019

In our interview with Brian Yorkey in June 2018, the show creator described the season 1 finale as "traumatic for a lot of us", but also said: "It has to be truthful and hard to watch or kids will tune out. And we were as truthful as we could be."

However, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, Yorkey explains the importance of removing the graphic scene: "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".