By: Valerie Milano
Pasadena, CA (The Hollywood Times) 1/15/23 – National Geographic has announced the premiere of Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller. The series’ third season is set to air on Wednesday, January 18th. Journalist Mariana Van Zeller is back to explore the intrinsicality of the criminal underworld and global black markets. In each episode, Mariana takes viewers on a journey through the processes of obtaining illegal goods and smuggling, people, body parts, narcotics, and other unimaginable items.
Over the weekend, THT sat down with Mariana to discuss what viewers can expect from the new season. She also revealed that season 4 of the series is already in production. Four episodes have been filmed, and the fifth will go into production as early as next week (Via TCA Winter Press Tour).
THT: What can we expect this season?
MVZ: Absolutely. This season we wanted to do it a bit differently by going behind the headlines and giving our viewers rare and unique access into these underworlds. The show is all about black markets and in each episode, we explore a different black market. The episodes and topics we picked this season are very much the ones we see in the headlines on a daily basis.
THT: What is the most intense point of view you’ve experienced?
MVZ: I think that there’s ideas out there that these black markets happen in very faraway places when in fact they are a lot more prevalent than we know and they are all around us. Most people don’t know that half of the global economy functions off these black and grey markets, yet we know almost nothing about them. One thing we are happy to do with Trafficked is show the world what happens, who are the operators, and what impact these black markets have on our daily lives.
THT: Do you ever do any follow ups after your interviews?
MVZ: Absolutely, I’m still in touch with many of the people we meet. One of the biggest takeaways from the show that is important to me is most of the people we meet in these black markets are human beings just like you and me. People often get involved in a life of crime due to their lack of opportunity and quality of life. Doing these interviews has given me a more positive perspective of the world. We can still find people that are relatable and redeemable.
Season 3 of Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller begins Wednesday, January 18th at 9 p.m. ET on National Geographic Channel. Viewers can also stream it on HULU the following day.
