Sundance Channel announced today its upcoming mini-series "Top of the Lake" will begin production on February 7, 2012. The seven-part mini-series will be directed by Oscar(R) winner Jane Campion (The Piano, Portrait of a Lady) and Australian director Garth Davis, and written by Jane Campion and Gerard Lee (Sweetie). The project stars SAG(R) Award winner and three time Emmy(R) Award nominated actress Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men," On the Road). Holly Hunter, who won a Best Actress Oscar(R) for her performance in Campion's The Piano, also stars alongside BAFTA(R) nominee Peter Mullan (War Horse, Trainspotting) and AFI Award winning actor David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings, Australia).
Produced by Academy Award(R) winners Emile Sherman and Iain Canning (The King's Speech, Shame) of See-Saw Films, and Philippa Campbell (Black Sheep) of Escapade Pictures, "Top of the Lake" is a powerful and haunting mystery about the search for happiness in a paradise where honest work is hard to find. Set in the remote mountains of New Zealand, the story follows the disappearance of a five months pregnant 12-year-old named Tui who was last seen standing chest deep in a frozen lake. In this classic mythic struggle, investigating detective, Robin Griffin (Moss), must lose herself in order to find the missing girl. During the investigation, she collides with Matt Mitcham (Mullan), Tui's father, a local drug lord, and G.J (Hunter), a guru at a local women's camp. Robin will find this the case that tests her limits and sends her on a journey of self-discovery.
"Top of the Lake" Executive Producer for Sundance Channel is Christian Vesper. "Top of the Lake" is co-produced by Sundance Channel, BBC TWO, and UKTV in Australia and New Zealand. BBC Worldwide distributes the television series internationally.
