BBC dives into Lake drama

Broadcasters from two continents will partner with the BBC to coproduce a mystery drama co-written by Oscar winner Jane Campion, about a detective’s search for a missing girl.

Top of the Lake (6×60’/7×50′) will be coproduced by UK pubcaster BBC2, pay-TV net UKTV in Australia and New Zealand, and Sundance Channel in the US. It has also been backed by Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Fulcrum Media Finance, which will provide investment and finance.

UKTV owner BBC Worldwide will pick up international distribution rights to the show, which will begin production in February ahead of transmission in early 2013.

Emile Sherman and Iain Canning (The King’s Speech), from See-Saw Films, and Escapade Picture’s Philippa Campbell (Black Sheep) are all attached as producers.

The series, set in New Zealand, will focus on a detective’s search for a pregnant 12-year-old girl who was last seen standing on a frozen lake. The cast includes Mad Men’s Elizabeth Moss.

Campion and Gerard Lee will write the story and Australian director Garth Lee has signed up to helm the project.

Top of the Lake was announced in September last year. It was commissioned for BBC2 by Ben Stephenson, controller of BBC drama commissioning, and Janice Hadlow, BBC2’s controller.