The BBC has named the cast for Top Of The Lake, an upcoming drama for BBC2 that is being directed by Oscar-winner Jane Campion (The Piano, Portrait Of A Lady) and rising Aussie director Garth Davis. It includes Emmy-nominated actress Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Holly Hunter (The Piano), Peter Mullan (War Horse) and David Wenham (Australia).

The six-part drama for transmission in early 2013 will be co-produced by BBC Two, UKTV in Australia and New Zealand and Sundance Channel in the United States. Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Fulcrum Media Finance are providing investment and finance for the series, which is described as “a powerful and haunting mystery”.

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.

Commenting, Campion said: “I am in love with the intense beauty of southern most New Zealand and am excited to be setting a story in this paradise. To be able to tell the story over six hours gives myself and my team a chance to make something absorbing and memorable.”