John Gore Studios acquires all rights to the works of Dame Susan Hill, in a strategic expansion of its creative IP portfolio, reinforcing its long-term commitment to premium storytelling and further strengthening Hammer Films’ existing relationship with The Woman in Black.
John Gore Studios today announced the acquisition of the rights to the works of acclaimed British author Dame Susan Hill, demonstrating the studios’ commitment to actively developing and exploiting landmark IP across film and television, with potential opportunities in theatre where existing rights arrangements allow.
One of Britain’s most distinguished writers, Dame Susan Hill has enjoyed a publishing career spanning more than six decades. Her remarkable body of work encompasses gothic fiction, literary fiction, crime writing, children’s books, memoir and radio drama. Among her many accolades, her novel The Bird of Night was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1972, while her wider honours include the Somerset Maugham Award, the Whitbread Novel Award, and election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
The Woman in Black has become one of the defining British ghost stories of the modern era. Its stage adaptation ran in London’s West End for 33 years, becoming one of the longest-running productions in West End history, while its screen adaptations have introduced the story to audiences around the world.
This acquisition builds on John Gore Studios’ existing relationship with Susan Hill. Hammer Films, a John Gore Studios company, introduced Susan Hill’s iconic ghost story to a new generation of audiences in 2012 with their co-production of The Woman in Black, a defining success for the studio.
The acquisition of Hill’s wider literary catalogue brings more of her work into the John Gore Studios ecosystem, unlocking creative opportunities to reimagine beloved classics and bring previously untapped works to screen for the first time. This marks a further strategic expansion of John Gore Studios’ integrated entertainment model, spanning creative development, production, film restoration, and global distribution.
John Gore, Founder and Executive Chairman of John Gore Studios, said: “Susan Hill is one of Britain’s most distinctive literary voices, and it is a privilege to become a custodian of such an extraordinary body of work. Our ambition is to approach these stories with the same care, craftmanship and respect for character, suspense and atmosphere that Susan has brought to them throughout her career. As we explore new ways of bringing her work to audiences across film, television and beyond, Susan’s voice and vision will remain at the heart of everything we do. Above all, we hope that each new interpretation will encourage audiences to discover, or return to, the remarkable writing that inspired it.”
Anouska Spiers, Chief Operating Officer of John Gore Studios, said: “Susan Hill’s extraordinary body of work represents exactly the kind of timeless storytelling that sits at the heart of John Gore Studios’ creative ambition. The success of The Woman in Black proved the power of her storytelling on screen, but that is only the beginning. Susan Hill’s catalogue offers a rich world of gothic horror, psychological suspense and unforgettable characters and we look forward to expanding that legacy, creating interconnected opportunities for iconic stories, new adaptations and worlds that can captivate audiences for years to come.”
Dame Susan Hill said: “For any author, it’s heartening to see their stories continue to find new life. John Gore Studios brings together a genuine respect for heritage with an understanding of how classic stories can reach new audiences, and Hammer has a long and distinguished place in the history of British gothic storytelling, so I’m very pleased that these worlds can come together for the next chapter.”
John Gore Studios is committed to bringing Hill’s work to new audiences around the world, by actively developing and exploiting the portfolio across film and television, with potential opportunities in theatre where existing rights arrangements allow through the John Gore Organization – while respecting existing publishing, stage and other contractual arrangements.
Development will be overseen by Chief Creative Officer Francis Hopkinson and the wider John Gore Studios creative team, while Chief Operating Officer Anouska Spiers will oversee the portfolio/franchise management and overall exploitation strategy for John Gore Studios. Susan Hill will remain actively involved in new creative projects and will be part of the ongoing management relationship around the portfolio and development strategy, as well as being an executive producer on new projects.
John Gore Studios’ growing portfolio also includes Hammer Films, Hilltop Screen, Deep Fusion, Icon Film Distribution, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution, Silver Salt Restoration, Tyburn Films and Angels Costumes, creating a fully integrated studio spanning development, production, distribution, restoration, theatrical entertainment and the stewardship of landmark British creative brands.
The acquisition was led by Chief Operating Officer, Anouska Spiers, for John Gore Studios.
Susan Hill is represented by Peters Fraser and Dunlop (PFD). Caroline Michel, Literary Agent and CEO of PFD, was instrumental in bringing the transaction together, and she will continue representing John Gore Studios as owner of the works.
Daniel Radcliffe in The Woman in Black © Hammer Films, photographer Nick Wall