Audiences will see a familiar face in the upcoming Top of the Lake: China Girl, with Game of Thrones and Star Wars star Gwendoline Christie joining the cast as police officer Miranda Hilmarsson.

And now it has been revealed that the part was written for Christie after she expressed her love for the series to creator Jane Campion.

She told Digital Spy: “I contacted Jane to express how much I loved the first season, because we have a friend in common. She sent me back a very sweet letter and then about four months later, she contacted me again and said, ‘I’ve written a part for you in the new series, I hope you’ll do it.’

“I still had to audition, to do a three-hour audition. Then you’ve truly earned it.”

Christie also teased what was to come from her dynamic with Elisabeth Moss’ character Robyn in the follow-up series, which will air on BBC Two beginning July 27.

“It was an opportunity to explore a very intense and passionate relationship with another woman that operates in a multitude of ways. Ways that are potentially not ideal. That can be conflicted. Complex, disturbing, unsettling. And tumultuous.

“It was only at the screening that I realised certainly that the more entertaining aspect of Miranda [was enjoyed], because I have never played it for laughs. Which is wonderful and a bit disturbing.”