Streaming service Netflix has come under pressure to cancel a popular show following the airing of a male rape scene that critics have branded 'harmful'.
13 Reasons Why has been blasted by the Parents Television Council in the USA, which has urged Netflix to remove it.
The controversy is centred around a graphic male rape scene in the show's final episode.
Season two of 13 Reasons Why also deals with the topics of school shootings, addiction and sexual assault, as well as rape culture in a broader sense, and is underpinned by themes of depression and mental illness.
The show has been slammed for what some have described as 'needlessly graphic' scenes, despite a PSA and mature content disclaimer which saw the show's lead stars tell the audience the season ahead will tackle "tough, real-world issues," even going so far as to encourage younger viewers to watch with an adult.
PTC's President Tim Winter said: "Netflix has delivered a ticking time bomb to teens and children who watch 13 Reasons Why.
"The content and thematic elements of the second season are even worse than we expected.
"We would have liked to have 13 reasons for hope and redemption following the graphic suicide of the lead female teen character, but rather than providing a path forward, the season only provides cause for despondency."
Meanwhile, Brian Yorkey, the show's creator told Vulture: "We fully understand that that means some of the scenes in the show will be difficult to watch.
"I think Netflix has helped provide viewers with lots of resources for understanding that this may not be the show for everybody, and also resources for people who do watch it and are troubled and need help.
"But the fact is that, as intense as that scene is, and as strong as the reactions to it may be, it doesn't even come close to the pain experienced by the people who actually go through these things."
Executive producer Mandy Teefey has also spoken out in defence of the show's content.
She told ET Online: "I wouldn't tell anybody how to parent their own child. That's up to them.
"I feel that we gave it as a platform and a tool to be [able for parents and kids to have a] dialogue."
Ms Teefey added: "The fact that we're talking about it and that it was so talked about, that was our goal."
Asked specifically about the rape scene, she said: "I would just suggest that they Google the news.
Advert
"There's nothing that anybody ever has put or had the desire in our group to make anything gratuitous or shock value.
"It's shocking, it's horrific, but it's happening. There's videos that people post and that's online forever. It's [in] the culture, so just look it up and educate yourself that you need look out for this."
Advert
Source: ET Online
Featured Image Credit: NetflixTopics: US Entertainment, Netflix