Netflix to add graphic warning to teen drama 13 Reasons Why over harrowing suicide content
The US series is co-produced by pop star Selena Gomez
NETFLIX is adding warnings to each episode of its new series 13 Reasons Why following concern over its controversial rape and suicide scenes.
The final two episodes already carry content warnings, but the subscription service has revealed these will also be strengthened to include a link to a resource centre with details of various support organisations.
Based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why tells the story of student Hannah Baker, who records 13 tapes to explain what led her to take her own life.
In a statement issued to , a Netflix spokesman said: "There has been a tremendous amount of discussion about our series 13 Reasons Why.
"While many of our members find the show to be a valuable driver for starting important conversation with their families, we have also heard concern from those who feel the series should carry additional advisories.
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"Currently the episodes that carry graphic content are identified as such and the series overall carries a TV-MA rating. Moving forward, we will add an additional viewer warning card before the first episode as an extra precaution for those about to start the series..."
Selena Gomez, 24, co-produced the drama and recently defended the way the series portrayed the sensitive story.
She told the : "We stayed very true to the book...what Jay Asher created was a beautifully tragic, complicated yet suspenseful story and I think that’s what we wanted to do.
"We wanted to do it justice and, yeah, [the backlash is] gonna come no matter what. It’s not an easy subject to talk about, but I’m very fortunate with how it’s doing. I'm overwhelmed, I'm very proud of it."
To access the series's support network, visit: 13ReasonsWhy.info
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