New York — December 17, 2012 — “Top of the Lake,” the highly-anticipated mini-series written and directed by Oscar® winner Jane Campion (The Piano, Portrait of a Lady), will debut its first two hour-long installments on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 9:00 pm it was announced today by Sarah Barnett, General Manager, Sundance Channel.
Filmed in the remote mountains of New Zealand, the seven-part series will air Monday nights and stars three time Emmy® Award nominated actress and SAG® Award winner Elisabeth Moss (“Mad Men,” On the Road); Oscar® winner Holly Hunter, who reunites with Campion after their memorable collaboration on the The Piano, and BAFTA® nominee Peter Mullan (War Horse, Trainspotting). Australian director Garth Davis also joined Campion to work on the series, along with co-writer, Gerard Lee (Sweetie).
“Top of the Lake” is a powerful and haunting mystery that centers on the disappearance of a 12-year-old named Tui who is five months pregnant. In this classic mythic struggle set in New Zealand, investigative 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. As the case unfolds, in a paradise where honest work is hard to find, Robin will find that her limits are tested, sending her on a journey of self-discovery.
The mini-series also stars AFI Award® winning actor David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings, Australia) and Lucy Lawless (“Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Spartacus: Vengeance”), who has a cameo role as Caroline, the estranged wife of Bob, a real estate agent who crosses drug lord Matt Mitchum.
Barnett said: “We’re elated to have the opportunity to work with Jane Campion and debut such a stunning series, with such high caliber actors, on Sundance Channel.?? ‘Top of the Lake’ depicts a bold and unique story, which fits perfectly into the network’s slate of daring, original programming.”
“Top of the Lake” is produced by Academy Award® winners Emile Sherman and Iain Canning (The King’s Speech, Shame) of See-Saw Films, and Philippa Campbell (Black Sheep) of Escapade Pictures. The series Executive Producer for Sundance Channel is Christian Vesper. “Top of the Lake” is a See-Saw Films production in association with Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Fulcrum Media Finance for BBC Two, Sundance Channel, UKTV and BBC Worldwide.
“Top of the Lake” is part of Sundance Channel’s continued expansion into scripted originals, which includes "Restless," the riveting two-part miniseries that the Associated Press touted as a “deliciously suspenseful spy thriller.” Also set to premiere in 2013 is “Rectify,” Sundance Channel’s first wholly owned scripted production created by Ray McKinnon and executive produced by Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein, the team behind critically-acclaimed AMC series, “Breaking Bad.” In 2012, the network received Golden Globe and SAG® nominations for scripted mini-series “Appropriate Adult.” The network’s first scripted project, “Carlos”, won the Golden Globe for Outstanding Mini-series in 2011.
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About Sundance Channel
Sundance Channel is the destination for What’s Next, Now. Showcasing both today’s creative icons and the emerging talent of tomorrow, Sundance Channel tells bold stories with a fresh point of view. In addition to award winning films, Sundance Channel is home to daring new original programming. Launched in 1996 and owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., Sundance Channel provides perspectives dedicated to founder Robert Redford’s mission to celebrate creativity.
About AMC Networks Inc.
Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc. owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, an international programming business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming feed origination and distribution company.
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