Finding a place to sit down and actually watch a high-quality mystery can be surprisingly annoying. You’ve probably heard the buzz about Elisabeth Moss in a role that basically redefined her career before The Handmaid’s Tale even existed. We are talking about Jane Campion’s eerie, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling series. If you are hunting for where to watch Top of the Lake, you aren't alone; the show has bounced around between different platforms because of complicated international distribution deals between the BBC, SundanceTV, and UKTV.
It's a moody show. It’s gritty. It’s also one of those rare gems that feels more like a twelve-hour movie than a standard procedural.
The Best Streaming Options Right Now
Streaming rights are a bit of a moving target. Honestly, the most reliable place to find both seasons—the original 2013 run and the 2017 follow-up, China Girl—is Hulu. Since the show was co-produced by SundanceTV in the States, it has lived on Hulu for a significant chunk of time. If you have a basic or premium subscription there, you’re usually good to go.
But what if you don’t have Hulu?
You can head over to BritBox. This makes sense because the show is a BBC co-production. BritBox tends to keep the "prestige" British and Commonwealth dramas in their rotation. If you’re a fan of Broadchurch or Happy Valley, you probably already have this app, and Top of the Lake fits right in with that dark, "small town with a big secret" vibe.
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Sometimes, Cineverse or Kanopy will have it. Kanopy is that great service you get for free with a library card. It’s worth checking there first because, well, free is better than ten bucks a month.
Buying vs. Renting: The Permanent Collection
Maybe you’re like me and you hate it when a show disappears from your "Watch List" because a licensing deal expired. In that case, you just buy the digital version.
- Amazon Prime Video: You can buy individual episodes or full seasons.
- Apple TV (iTunes): Usually has the best bit-rate for the visuals. And Jane Campion’s cinematography? It needs those extra bits. The landscapes of Glenorchy, New Zealand, are basically a character themselves.
- Google Play / YouTube TV: Reliable, though the interface for watching purchased shows can be a little clunky compared to Apple.
Why Location Matters for Where to Watch Top of the Lake
If you are in the UK, the situation is different. You’ll likely find it on BBC iPlayer for free (provided you’ve paid your TV license). In Australia, it often surfaces on Stan or ABC iview.
The show is a co-production between multiple countries. This means the rights are fragmented. One company owns the "home video" rights, another owns the "streaming" rights, and someone else entirely might own the "broadcast" rights. It’s a mess. If you are traveling, you might find that the show you were halfway through in New York has completely vanished once you land in London.
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A Quick Warning About Season 2
A lot of people don’t realize there are two distinct seasons. The first one is the "Lake" season. The second one, Top of the Lake: China Girl, moves the action to Sydney. Some platforms might only list one or the other. When you are looking at where to watch Top of the Lake, make sure the listing actually includes all 12 episodes. There is nothing worse than finishing season one on a cliffhanger (well, it wraps up, but you’ll want more) and realizing the platform doesn’t carry the sequel featuring Nicole Kidman in a wild grey wig.
The Gist of the Story (No Spoilers)
Why are you even looking for this? Because it’s incredible. Elisabeth Moss plays Robin Griffin, a detective who specializes in sexual assault cases. She returns to her remote New Zealand hometown to visit her dying mother and gets pulled into the disappearance of a 12-year-old pregnant girl who was last seen walking into a freezing lake.
It’s heavy.
Campion doesn’t do "light and fluffy." The show explores some really dark corners of human nature and misogyny. It’s also visually stunning. The mountains look like they’re about to swallow the characters whole.
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Technical Details You Should Know
If you’re a stickler for quality, try to find a platform that offers the show in HD. When it first aired, some international versions were slightly edited for time or "content," but most modern streaming versions on Hulu or BritBox are the full, uncut director's vision.
- Director: Jane Campion (and Garth Davis for Season 1 / Ariel Kleiman for Season 2).
- Total Runtime: About 6 hours per season.
- Lead Cast: Elisabeth Moss, David Wenham, Peter Mullan (S1), Nicole Kidman, Gwendoline Christie (S2).
What Most People Get Wrong
People often mistake this for a standard "whodunnit." It isn't. If you go in expecting Law & Order, you’re going to be confused by the long shots of grass blowing in the wind or the strange commune of women living in shipping containers led by a cynical guru played by Holly Hunter.
This is "prestige TV" before the term got watered down. It’s slow-burn. It’s uncomfortable. It’s art.
Actionable Steps for Your Weekend Binge
- Check your existing subscriptions: Open Hulu and search "Top of the Lake" first. It’s the most likely home for it in the US.
- Verify the Seasons: Ensure the platform has both the 2013 and 2017 cycles.
- Library Card Hack: Log into Kanopy with your library credentials. It’s a high-brow show, and libraries love stocking high-brow content.
- Prepare for the Mood: This isn't a "background noise" show. Turn the lights down. The sound design is subtle, so use good speakers or headphones.
- International Viewers: If you are outside the US, check your local national broadcaster's app (iPlayer, iview, etc.) before paying for a subscription.
If you find that it isn't available for "free" on your current streamers, buying the first season on Apple TV or Amazon is a solid investment. It’s one of those shows you’ll likely want to rewatch every few years just to catch the details you missed in the atmospheric haze.
Next Steps for the Viewer: Start with Season 1, Episode 1, "Paradise Lost." If the haunting opening sequence doesn't hook you within the first ten minutes, the show's deliberate pace might not be for you. However, if you're captivated by the grey New Zealand mist and Elisabeth Moss's understated performance, clear your schedule—you won't want to stop until you've reached the end of the second season in Sydney.