Part 5: Web Series — Netflix, HBO & the Streaming Revolution
Content Warning: This post discusses suicide and mental health as depicted in streaming series. If you are struggling: India: iCall 9152987821 | AASRA: 9820466726 | International: befrienders.org
The rise of streaming platforms — Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime — changed everything. For the first time, creators could tell long-form stories about mental health without the constraints of network television. The result was some of the most honest, controversial, and impactful portrayals of suicide ever committed to screen.
1. 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020)
Creator: Brian Yorkey Platform: Netflix Seasons: 4 Based on: Jay Asher's novel Thirteen Reasons Why IMDB: 7.5/10
The Story
Hannah Baker, a high school student, dies by suicide and leaves behind 13 cassette tapes — each one addressed to a person she says contributed to her decision. Her classmate Clay Jensen listens to the tapes, uncovering a web of bullying, sexual assault, and institutional failure.
Why It Matters
13 Reasons Why is the most controversial series about suicide ever made. It sparked a global debate about the responsibility of media in depicting suicide. It was the most-tweeted-about show of 2017 and forced schools, parents, and mental health professionals to confront the topic head-on.
The Portrayal
The series was criticized for its graphic depiction of Hannah's suicide in the Season 1 finale (later edited by Netflix). The scene showed the act in detail — a decision that researchers later linked to a statistically significant increase in youth suicides in the months following the show's release.
However, the series also:
- Showed the ripple effects of suicide on family, friends, and community
- Depicted sexual assault and its connection to suicidal despair
- Addressed institutional failure — the school counselor who dismisses Hannah's cries for help
- Explored the impossibility of fully understanding another person's pain
The Controversy
- Research: A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found a 28.9% increase in suicide rates among U.S. youth aged 10–17 in the month following the show's release.
- Netflix's response: After years of criticism, Netflix edited out the graphic suicide scene in 2019.
- Defenders: Supporters argued that the show started necessary conversations and that teens were already aware of suicide — the show just made adults pay attention.
Legacy
Regardless of where you stand on the controversy, 13 Reasons Why permanently changed the conversation about suicide in media. It forced the entertainment industry to reckon with the power — and responsibility — of storytelling.
2. BoJack Horseman (2014–2020)
Creator: Raphael Bob-Waksberg Platform: Netflix Seasons: 6 IMDB: 8.8/10
The Story
BoJack Horseman is a washed-up sitcom star — an anthropomorphic horse who is depressed, alcoholic, narcissistic, and deeply lonely. Over six seasons, the show explores his attempts to become a better person, his repeated failures, and the devastating impact of his behavior on everyone around him.
Why It Matters
BoJack Horseman is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated series ever made and one of the most accurate depictions of depression, addiction, and self-destruction in any medium. It uses the disguise of animation and animal characters to explore darkness that would be unbearable in live-action.
The Portrayal
The show addresses suicide and suicidal ideation across multiple seasons:
- BoJack's Season 2 "bender": His self-destructive behavior — drugs, alcohol, reckless driving — is shown as a form of passive suicide. He doesn't want to die, but he doesn't care if he lives.
- Sarah Lynn's death: BoJack's former co-star dies of a heroin overdose while on a bender with him. Her death is the culmination of a lifetime of exploitation, child stardom, and untreated trauma.
- The "View from Halfway Down" episode (Season 6, Episode 15): Widely considered one of the greatest episodes of television ever made, this surreal episode depicts BoJack's near-death experience as he drowns in his pool. The episode includes a poem called "The View from Halfway Down" written by a character who died by suicide — expressing the regret of someone who has already jumped.
Why Animation Works
The show's use of animal characters and bright colors creates a protective distance that allows viewers to engage with extremely dark material without being overwhelmed. As one critic noted: "It's easier to watch a cartoon horse be depressed than to watch a human do it — but the pain is just as real."
Research Impact
Studies have found that while 13 Reasons Why may have increased suicidal ideation, BoJack Horseman increased mental health awareness without the same risk. The show's approach — showing the long-term consequences of self-destruction rather than glamorizing it — appears to be a more responsible model.
3. After Life (2019–2022)
Creator: Ricky Gervais Platform: Netflix Seasons: 3 IMDB: 8.4/10
The Story
Tony (Ricky Gervais) is a small-town newspaper journalist whose wife Lisa dies of cancer. Overwhelmed by grief, he decides to "do and say whatever he wants" — essentially giving himself permission to be cruel, reckless, and self-destructive, while keeping a suicide method "on standby" in case life becomes unbearable.
Why It Matters
After Life is one of the few shows that directly and openly depicts suicidal ideation as a daily reality. Tony doesn't hide his desire to die — he tells everyone. The show's genius is in showing how small acts of kindness and connection slowly chip away at his resolve.
The Portrayal
- The "suicide plan": Tony keeps a bag of heroin hidden in his house. He refers to it as his "superpower" — knowing he can end things whenever he wants gives him the freedom to face each day.
- Grief as suicide driver: The show doesn't pathologize Tony's suicidal thoughts — it presents them as a natural response to devastating loss.
- The power of small moments: Tony's relationship with his colleague Sandy, his dog Brandy, and the people he interviews for the newspaper slowly give him reasons to keep going.
- No magic cure: Over three seasons, Tony doesn't "get over" his grief. He learns to carry it differently.
Critical Reception
The show was praised for its honest depiction of grief and suicidal thinking, particularly among men. It showed that men can be vulnerable, broken, and still worthy of love.
4. Euphoria (2019–2022)
Creator: Sam Levinson Platform: HBO Seasons: 2 IMDB: 8.4/10
The Story
Rue Bennett (Zendaya) is a 17-year-old recovering from a near-fatal opioid overdose. The show follows her and her friends as they navigate drugs, sex, identity, trauma, and the chaos of modern adolescence.
Why It Matters
Euphoria is one of the most visually striking and emotionally intense shows on television. It doesn't just depict mental health — it immerses you in the subjective experience of depression, addiction, and suicidal despair.
The Portrayal
- Rue's addiction: Her opioid use is shown as a form of self-medication for depression, anxiety, and grief after her father's death. Her relapses are brutal and unglamorous.
- Rue's suicidal ideation: In Season 2, after a devastating relapse, Rue's behavior becomes increasingly self-destructive. Her family and friends are powerless to stop her.
- The intervention scene: One of the most harrowing scenes in television — Rue's mother and sister confront her, and Rue's response is violent, desperate, and raw. Zendaya's performance won her a second Emmy.
- Other characters' struggles: The show also addresses Kat's body image issues, Cassie's need for male validation, and Nate's toxic masculinity — all of which contribute to a broader portrait of youth in crisis.
Criticism
The show has been criticized for glamorizing drug use and for its excessive depiction of sex and violence. However, defenders argue that the show's raw honesty is necessary — it doesn't sanitize the reality of addiction and mental illness.
5. Other Notable Streaming Series
Maniac (2018) — Netflix
A limited series starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill as two strangers in a pharmaceutical trial that takes them through shared hallucinations. The show explores depression, trauma, and the search for connection through a surreal, sci-fi lens.
The Crowded Room (2023) — Apple TV+
Based on the true story of Billy Milligan, the first person diagnosed with multiple personality disorder to use it as a legal defense. The show explores childhood trauma, dissociation, and the failure of the mental health system.
Normal People (2020) — BBC/Hulu
Based on Sally Rooney's novel, the series follows Connell and Marianne through their relationship and individual mental health struggles. Connell's depression and suicidal ideation in college are depicted with devastating realism.
Fleabag (2016–2019) — BBC/Amazon
Phoebe Waller-Bridge's masterpiece uses dark comedy to explore grief, guilt, and self-destruction. While not explicitly about suicide, the show's portrait of a woman who is slowly destroying herself resonates deeply with anyone who has struggled with mental health.
Streaming vs. Traditional Media
| Aspect | Traditional (Film/TV) | Streaming Series |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 90–180 minutes | 8–13 episodes per season |
| Depth | Snapshot | Deep dive over time |
| Trigger warnings | Rare | Increasingly common |
| Audience access | Theaters, scheduled TV | On-demand, bingeable |
| Controversy management | Limited | Can edit post-release (Netflix) |
| Global reach | Limited | Instant worldwide |
The Double-Edged Sword of Streaming
Streaming platforms have made stories about suicide more accessible than ever. This is both a blessing and a curse:
The Good:
- More people see themselves represented on screen
- Conversations about mental health are normalized
- Viewers can pause, take breaks, and watch at their own pace
The Bad:
- Binge-watching can intensify emotional impact
- Algorithm recommendations can create "rabbit holes"
- Graphic content reaches vulnerable audiences without gatekeepers
What's Next?
In Part 6, we explore documentaries — real stories of suicide, loss, and the people who are fighting to prevent it.
Next Part: Documentaries — Real Stories of Loss & Hope →
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