As Her Emmy-Winning Nat Geo Series ‘Trafficked’ Ends, Mariana van Zeller Launches New Indie Media Company (EXCLUSIVE)

May 15, 2026 11:00am PT As Her Emmy-Winning Nat Geo Series ‘Trafficked’ Ends, Mariana van Zeller Launches New Indie Media Company (EXCLUSIVE)

By Michael Schneider

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Michael Schneider

Variety Editor at Large

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As “Trafficked With Mariana van Zeller” ended its award-winning run on Nat Geo last September, van Zeller has moved on to a new chapter in her career. The Emmy, Peabody and DuPont Award-winning journalist has launched The Hidden Third, a new independent production company.

The news was announced by van Zeller and Muck Media, the L.A.- and Lisbon-based production company founded by filmmakers Darren Foster, Jeff Plunkett, Alex Simmons, Cristina Costantini and van Zeller.

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