Sit down with ‘13 Reasons Why’ actress
By: LIz Tufts
Email: ltufts@abc6.com
Twitter: @LizTuftsabc6
NEW YORK, NY (WLNE) — “13 Reasons Why” has captivated the country, becoming the highest rated series on Netflix, but it has divided many people when it comes to the show’s depiction of suicide.
Many students and parents here in Rhode Island have been warned by their school districts not to watch the show because it doesn’t accurately portray the issue of mental illness. They believe it could be a dangerous lesson for teens.
It is the story of Hannah Baker, a high school junior who commits suicide and leaves behind cassette tapes, explaining the 13 reasons why she took her own life. The show has become wildly popular among teens, but not without major controversy.
In Rhode Island school districts such as Cranston have been sending home these letters, warning parents the show could be harmful.
“I knew there would be a lot of eyes on the show, but I never expected it to blow up like it has,” said Amy Hargreaves.
Actress Amy Hargreaves, who plays Mrs. Jensen, Clay’s mother on the show, is taking the controversy personally.
ABC6 News Anchor Liz Tufts asked her, “What do you say to the people that this show is glorifying suicide?”
“I don’t think there’s anything glorifying about Hannah Baker’s story and how we’ve told it,” replied Amy.
Amy says 13 Reasons Why is starting a conversation about suicide, something she says needs to be talked about. “This is a show parents need to watch with their kids maybe not at the same time, but watch and then sit down with your kids and talk about it,” said Amy.
Amy revealed to ABC6 News in the ABC studios in New York, she did not watch the last episode when Hannah killed herself until a few weeks ago, but she says medical professionals were on the set helping them portray the issues the best way they could.
“It upsets me when people say we are taking this lightly, no we aren’t at all,” added Amy.
It is not just a show for Cindy Duncan of Richmond.
It is something she and her family have lived through first hand. Her 14-year-old daughter, Cassie, took her life the day after Christmas in 2005.
She says 13 Reasons Why should be watched, talked about, and not hidden away.
“This is a wonderful thing and we shouldn’t stop. Ask questions and everything. The world is moving too fast take those few moments to ask the questions of your kids tell them you love them and ask them if they ever had thoughts of suicide, do it together,” said Cindy.
Amy says they are starting to shoot season two of 13 Reasons Why this June.
While she cannot tell us much about what to expect, she does say the conversation about suicide and other issues will continue in the next season.
©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017
