Jane Campion sneaked into brothels in disguise for TV series research

Acclaimed New Zealand director Jane Campion admitted to disguising herself and sneaking into brothels to gain access to sex workers and their stories in Sydney, for the latest season of Top of the Lake.

Detective Robin Griffin, portrayed by Elisabeth Moss, explores the world of migrant sex workers and legal prostitution.

"Sexual tourism in Sydney from Asia has always really annoyed me because I feel it's so exploitative of people who don't have the choices that we have and I felt like it should be something we should talk about or bring out," said Campion.

Jane Campion television series Top of the Lake stars Elisabeth Moss.

Seeking the stories of the workers, Campion struggled to be let in, and resorted to disguising herself, according to The Guardian.

Pretending to be a lesbian and aunt of co-director Ariel Kleiman, the pair claimed Kleiman was a virgin and unclear of his sexuality and were let in.

Once in a room with a female sex worker, Campion and Kleiman used the opportunity to ask the woman questions about procedure, rules, about the clients and how she ended up working there after migrating from Thailand.

The series was not created to directly take aim against migrant sex workers, but rather showing the complexity and the stories of those involved.

"I must say it does repulse me a bit, but on the other hand it's the way that these girls can earn good money. And sometimes they [decide] that it's worth it," Campion said.

Despite the success of the first season in 2013, Campion said that she was not keen to do a follow-up, but was persuaded by her co-creators and Moss who was keen to play Robin Griffin again.

Notable actresses who also asked Campion to be involved include Nicole Kidman and Gwendoline Christie from Game of Thrones, continuing the range of female characters from the first season.

"With this season, I made a really simple general request to Jane in that I really wanted to be challenged by it.

"I really wanted Robin to go to a deeper, darker place ... and I got it," Moss said.

Top of the Lake: China Girl will be aired on New Zealand screens in August.