13 Reasons Why viewers slam ‘traumatic' Justin Foley HIV storyline after controversial series finale

Fans of the popular teen drama 13 Reasons Why have been left furious at the way the show handled its HIV storyline.

The Netflix series, which returned for its fourth and final season this month, is no stranger for controversy – and it seems the season finale has proved to be particularly disappointing for viewers.

Season four opened with scenes from a funeral, but it wasn’t until the season finale that it was revealed Justin Foley, played by Brandon Flynn, had died.

It was revealed the recovered heroin addict had died after contracting HIV which had then developed into AIDS.

Fans were left bereft that one of the show’s most popular characters had been killed off, with 13 Reasons Why being heavily criticised for its portrayal of HIV.

One fan called the twist "bothersome and potentially traumatic":

Sorry if this is a #spoiler BUT I find it really gross 13 reasons why killed it ****** the way they did. As I believe the only gay actor in the series, killing his character via AIDS had to be bothersome and potentially traumatic.

— s (@purplelights67)

June 5, 2020

Others reminded Netflix that "HIV is NOT a death sentence":

i only saw a bit of 13 reasons why but i heard about the justin dying of HIV/AIDS thing and lemme just say that was the dumbest ending you could give to a character a) HIV/AIDS is NOT a death sentence b) justin came from bad backgrounds but was improving himself and then dies???

— sindhu (@sxndhuu)

June 9, 2020

#13ReasonsWhy producers had an amazing opportunity to teach people that HIV is no longer a death sentence. Instead, they chose to kill Justin off, after they gave him the biggest character development???

— Nicole (@coleeyolee)

June 7, 2020

Dear @13ReasonsWhy: Your HIV/AIDS story line with Justin, the ONE character with a truly redeemable arc on this show, would have been a great opportunity to show HIV/AIDS isn’t a death sentence in the 21st century. I have tolerated a *lot* of unnecessary storylines & plots (1/2)

— mikebross🏳️‍🌈 (@mbross44)

June 6, 2020

HIV can develop into AIDS when it is left completely untreated for between eight and 10 years.

In the UK, 93 percent of people living with HIV have received a diagnosis and of those, 97 percent are receiving treatment, according to the Terrence Higgins Trust.

13 Reasons Why previously faced extensive criticism for its graphic suicide scene in series one, in which Hannah Baker (played by Katherine Langford) took her own life.

Netflix has since removed the three-minute scene, citing advice from medical experts as the reason behind why they have now chosen to omit the suicide.

Netflix has declined to comment on its series four finale when approached by Standard Online.