Louis Theroux has been lauded by viewers for delivering a “compelling” if “uncomfortable” look at sex trafficking in his latest documentary.
The television star’s new series, Dark States, sees Theroux investigate drugs, sex trafficking and murder.
In Sunday night’s instalment of the BBC Two programme he spends time with American women working in the sex industry and explores the dynamic between prostitute and pimp.
Many viewers said on social media that the gritty series was a tough watch.
“A brutal yet brilliant programme. The way women are exploited is horrific but the truth needs to be told, however uncomfortable,” one person said on Twitter.
A brutal yet brilliant programme. The way women are exploited is horrific but the truth needs to be told, however uncomfortable #DarkStates https://t.co/AeCFWI6e7D
— Andy Rush (@AndyRush5) October 15, 2017
“Watching Louis Theroux is uncomfortable tonight. Living is complex,” said another.
Watching Louis Theroux is uncomfortable tonight. Living is complex. #DarkStates
— Andrew Penfold (@PenfoldOfficial) October 15, 2017
One impressed viewer tweeted: “#DarkStates is compelling viewing.
“Hard to imagine all the human carnage/damage caused by sex trafficking. Heartbreaking.”
@louistheroux #DarkStates is compelling viewing. Hard to imagine all the human carnage/damage caused by sex trafficking. Heartbreaking.
— John Conway (@JohnConway82) October 15, 2017
Fans flooded Twitter with posts praising the way Theroux handled a tricky subject.
The documentary-maker was called “a master”, “a British institution” and even “a don”.
Louis Theroux is to humans what David Attenborough is to animals #DarkStates
— Darren Griffiths (@dhwg3010) October 15, 2017
#DarkStates is truly heartbreaking. Exceptional work from @louistheroux pic.twitter.com/SSsqsbADBk
— Mike Hughes (@MikeHughesNews) October 15, 2017
Louis is brilliant. Love everything he does. He has a knack of making people talk to him. #DarkStates
— Charlotte (@lili_charlott) October 15, 2017
And one fan wrote: “Louis Theroux is to humans what David Attenborough is to animals.”
The third instalment of Theroux’s series, Murder In Milwaukee, airs next Sunday at 9pm on BBC Two.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here