'13 Reasons Why' Suicide Scene Removed By Netflix After Two Years Of Backlash

After two years, Netflix has finally decided to remove that suicide scene from the "13 Reasons Why" season finale.

Suicide Scene Made Headlines

Netflix put out a statement Tuesday regarding the scene, which appeared in the season 1 finale.

It's a graphic scene in which Hannah, played by Katherine Langford, commits suicide by cutting her wrist in a bathtub. Hannah's mother later finds her body. Dylan Minnette's character gives a voiceover during the scene.

Debate Still Rages

The statement reads in part:

"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."

"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 Original Scene Is Gone

The three-minute scene is now gone from Netflix, replaced with Hannah looking at herself in the mirror, and her parents reacting.

Netflix Hoping To Prevent Further Damage

As season 3 nears, it's being reported that there is no new suicide scene. Netflix's decision is apparently based on the fact that new viewers would have turned to the previous seasons to catch up, thus watching the suicide scene.

'13 Reasons Why' Agrees With Decision

Showrunner Brian Yorkey explained their original intent behind the scene:

"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."