Entertainment

Mr. Robot finale postponed because of scenes 'similar' to Virginia shooting

USA Network has postponed airing the season finale of the psychological thriller Mr. Robot because of scenes that it says bear similarities to Wednesday's deadly shooting of two journalists in Virginia.

Finale contains 'graphic scene' that prompted USA Network to postpone broadcast

Rami Malek, left, and Christian Slater appear in a scene from the hacker drama Mr. Robot. (David Giesbrecht/USA Network/Associated Press)

USA Network has postponed airing the season finale of the psychological thriller Mr. Robot because of scenes that it says bear similarities to Wednesday's deadly shooting of two journalists in Virginia.

It was originally scheduled to air Wednesday night, but has been postponed until next week, on Sept. 2.

"The previously filmed season finale of Mr. Robot contains a graphic scene similar in nature to today's tragic events in Virginia. Out of respect to the victims, their families and colleagues, and our viewers, we are postponing tonight's episode," the network said on the show's official Facebook page.

"Our thoughts go out to all those affected during this difficult time."

The statement did not give further details about what content in the finale prompted the decision.

Mr. Robot, which premiered this summer, stars Rami Malek as Elliot, "a young programmer who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and as a vigilante hacker by night," according to the show's Facebook page.

Alison Parker, 24, and Adam Ward, 27, were shot to death on air Wednesday while working for a local TV station in Roanoke, Va. Video of the killings was quickly circulated on social media, and so did a video recorded by the killer himself, who uploaded it to Facebook.