Robert Pattinson on new film Primetime and how hunting predators became hit TV

Robert Pattinson is having quite the year.

The British actor has already starred opposite Zendaya in The Drama, and played a key role in summer blockbuster The Odyssey.

But his new film, Primetime, takes him in a completely new direction – as he portrays the real-life host of American TV show, To Catch a Predator.

The show, which aired from 2004 to 2007, involved hunting alleged child abusers.

For Pattinson, who became a father almost three years ago, the film’s plot is particularly concerning.

“It’s both the most terrifying thing that can happen to you, whether you’re a parent, or even if you’re not,” he told BBC News at the film’s screening at London Film Festival.

“It’s the most unimaginable sin possible,” he added.

The new A24 crime thriller depicts the show’s host, NBC journalist Chris Hansen, carrying out sting operations on would-be predators.

The show was a ratings hit.

But it also led to questions over where to draw the line between investigative journalism, police activity and reality television.

Speaking on Sunday night, Pattinson reflected on the show’s complicated legacy.

“The show was this kind of microcosm of saying, ‘oh, we can do something about [child abuse], and we can do something about it really, really, really quickly,” he said.

“And in some ways, that’s correct, but it also makes for incredibly powerful TV, and that’s when it gets into slightly dicey territory.”