Top of the Lake season 2: Nicole Kidman joins cast of Jane Campion follow-up China Girl

The Australian actor joins Elisabeth Moss, Holly Hunter and Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie

(Getty Images for CMT)

After almost three years, mystery drama Top of the Lake is making a return for its second instalment with original star Elisabeth Moss in tow.

This time around, The Piano director Jane Campion's series will see a high-profile boost in the form of Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman, the BBC has confirmed.

The Moulin Rouge! actor will star alongside both the previously announced Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) and Holly Hunter who starred in the first season as a spiritual leader named GJ.

Filming is scheduled to take place in Sydney, Australia.

Season one of the drama series followed Detective Robin Griffin (Moss) and her investigation into the disappearance of a pregnant 12-year-old girl; the actress won a Golden Globe for the role in 2014.

This series, subtitled China Girl, will take place four years later following Griffin as she investigates a body that washes up on Sydney's Bondi Bach.

Deadline reports that season two will co-star David Dencik (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Ewan Leslie (The Daughter) and Alice Englert (Beautiful Creatures), The first season co-starred David Wenham and Peter Mullan.

Kidman's list of extensive film credits include The Hours, Rabbit Hole and Eyes Wide Shut; she previously worked with director Campion on 1996 adaptation Portrait of as Lady. Christie currently stars as Brienne of Tarth in HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones and will reprise her role of Captain Phasma for Star Wars: Episode VIII following the character's debut in The Force Awakens.

Top of the Lake season two is expected to air in 2017 unveiling on BBC Two in the UK and Sundance Channel in the States.