BBC2 orders three Theroux films

UK pubcaster BBC2 has commissioned films exploring murder, sex trafficking and opiate dependency in three US cities from documentary maker Louis Theroux.

Filmmaker Louis Theroux returned to BBC2 last year with two new docs

The three films – Louis Theroux: Murder In Milwaukee, Louis Theroux: Sex Trafficking Houston (working title) and Louis Theroux: Opiate City – will be produced by the documentary unit of the fledgling BBC Studios.

They were commissioned by Patrick Holland, channel editor of BBC2, and Danny Horan, commissioning editor for documentaries.

Theroux returned to BBC2 last year for two films, one about alcohol addiction (Drinking to Oblivion) and another about brain injury (A Different Brain).

“I immerse myself in some of the most dysfunctional and disturbing aspects of American society. They combine hard-hitting actuality with intimate interviews,” said Theroux.

“I have been granted access to the police in several states; I’ve got to know the people affected by crime; and I’ve also spent time with the perpetrators of crime, with the idea of understanding the causes of it, both on a systemic level and also in a very personal way.”

“This trilogy promises to be hugely timely and challenging – it has never been more important to engage with the forces shaping modern America,” said Holland.

In related news, Holland and Jan Younghusband, head of commissioning at BBC Music Television, have ordered Lucy Worsley’s Nights at the Opera (working title), a 2×60′ series exploring the history of opera for BBC2 from Reef Television.

Worsley will explore several pivotal operas against the backdrop of the cities in which they were premiered. Sir Antonio Pappano, music director of the Royal Opera House, will also play a key role in the series to explain the music from the operas featured.

They were commissioned by Patrick Holland, who has been promoted to controller at BBC2 having been channel editor, and Danny Horan, commissioning editor for documentaries.