Louis is making a new documentary for BBC (Picture: BBC)

In his next documentary for our viewing pleasure, Louis Theroux is turning to Selling Sex.

Intrigued by the age old business of sex for money, which is legal in Britain, so long as it doesn’t involve coercion, exploitation, or any kind of public nuisance, the legendary documentary maker is to lift the lid on the world of sex workers.

With a whole new world presented in the jobs of the night fuelled by websites and social media, the world of transactional sex has never been more accessible to people who might have never previously considered it.

And Louis wants to tell us all about it.




Previously based in the US, the Brit returns to the UK to meet women legally providing sexual services, either to make a living or to supplement their income, potentially earning hundreds of pounds per hour.

What may come as a surprise to whoever has built up a certain opinion of the sex trade, the women who will be covered in Louis’ series, Selling Sex, all sell the product from their home or hotels – with a key new ingredient: technology.

How has technology changed sex work over the years?

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From using tech to share photos, make bookings and vet potential clients, Louis explores a business that is more accessible and, according to some, safer than the illegal alternatives.

‘I’m always drawn to stories that involve ethical wrinkles – issues that are deeply felt, but are also divisive, and in which good-hearted people can come to opposite conclusions,’ he said, announcing his latest endeavour.

‘The debate around selling sex is exactly that kind of story. It is one of the most straightforward, yet complex interactions that can take place between two people.

‘On the one hand, none of the activities taking place here are illegal; everything is above board and both parties have mutually agreed on the arrangement. On the other, it’s impossible to deny that for many – maybe most – people, there is something unsavoury in the idea of accepting money for an act that is so intimate.

Louis’ documentaries have shone a light on sections of society

‘They have a problem with those who do it and see it as a symptom of a society that is controlled and dominated by men. For exactly this reason – because it is so controversial – I thought it would be revealing to speak to the women involved in the business of selling sex.’

He continued: ‘Once we started looking we discovered that the sexual economy seems to have been turbo-charged by the prevalence of new websites and social media that allow users to meet up more easily, to write reviews of each other, and swap information.

‘What we ended up with was a very intimate look at three very individual women and the different paths that led them to this field of work.’

Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two, said: ‘This is a challenging and complex film about the modern face of one of the oldest taboos. The contributors let us into their lives with exceptional candour. I’d like to thank Louis and his team for another exceptional documentary.’



According to Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, Louis’ latest film ‘examines an important and hotly-debated topic, handled in his naturally curious and nuanced style’.

From Westboro Baptist Church to Swingers, we can’t wait for Louis’ next uncovering.

Louis Theroux: Selling Sex will air on BBC Two soon.

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