Star Wars star joins Jane Campion's Top of the Lake

Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie has joined the cast for season two of Jane Campion's acclaimed drama Top of the Lake.

That's not the only change in store for the Emmy-winning show: production has moved from the South Island to Sydney.

That might explain Christie's recent appearance on stage next to Madonna in Sydney, where she was eyed up by the Material Girl in a wayward display.

A press release says filming is underway in Sydney in various locations.

The show, which aired in 2013, was nominated for eight Emmys and won for best cinematography for a TV movie or mini-series.

Elisabeth Moss starred as Robin, a detective investigating the disappearance of a pregnant 12-year-old girl.

She won a Golden Globe for her performance in the series which was filmed in and around Queenstown and Glenorchy.

"I'm so excited to be back in Australia working with Jane on exploring this wonderful character," said Moss in a press release.

Christie, who plays Brienne of Tarth in Thrones and Captain Phasma in Star Wars, called Campion a major influence on her career.

"I am so delighted to be working on Top of the Lake. Jane Campion has been a major creative influence throughout my life and I could not feel more privileged to be working on the next installment of her unique and enthralling drama, alongside the brilliant Elisabeth Moss," she said.

Top of the Lake Season Two: China Girl picks things up four years on from season one, when the unidentified body of an Asian girl washes up on to Sydney's Bondi Beach.

"The case seems hopeless, until detective Robin Griffin discovers that China Girl didn't die alone," a plot brief says.

Top of the Lake's second season is set to air on Sky's UKTV in 2017.

- nzherald.co.nz