Netflix Distances Itself From ‘13 Reasons Why’ Author Over Sexual Harassment
Even as Netflix moves beyond Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why for an off-book second season, the streaming service is ditching Asher himself. Netflix has disavowed Asher’s involvement in 13 Reasons Why Season 2 over the author’s newest sexual harassment charges.
It was on Sunday that the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators confirmed Asher and another author had been expelled from the organization, and were “not welcome as members, faculty or speakers … There is a zero tolerance policy for harassment, there is a preponderance [of] powerful and respected women on our board, on our staff, and in our membership” (h/t Entertainment Weekly). It isn’t clear exactly what said violations were, though Asher apparently told BuzzFeed “It’s very scary when you know people are just not going to believe you once you open your mouth. I feel very conflicted about it just because of what’s going on in the culture and who’s supposed to be believed and who’s not.”
Netflix itself has now moved to distance itself from Asher, stating of its adapted series that “Jay Asher was not involved in the second season of 13 Reasons Why. The upcoming season will not be impacted in any way.” The as-yet-unscheduled season moved beyond the scope of Asher’s original novel, though it’s unclear if Asher helped shape the new story. Otherwise, we know Pulitzer Prize-winner Brian Yorkey will take over as showrunner from Diana Son.
Netflix has not dated 13 Reasons Why Season 2 just yet, but stay tuned for the latest.
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