Endeavor Content takes Ink Factory stake

John Le Carré adaptation The Night Manager

Endeavor Content, the distribution and content finance arm of US entertainment group Endeavor, has partnered with The Night Manager producer The Ink Factory and taken a minority stake in the business.

The partnership will see Endeavor Content setting up a development fund for London- and LA-based Ink Factory to draw on and aims to specifically address the US market with high-end, premium TV series.

Endeavor Content will have a formal first-look agreement covering both TV and film to sell Ink Factory projects internationally.

The partnership marks a step up in the long-running relationship between the two companies, cemented by Endeavor Content’s investment of both equity and development funding in Ink Factory across US and international projects.

Chris Rice

The two companies have also made a commitment to collaborate in new areas such as podcasts and other digital projects. Following completion of the deal, Chris Rice, co-president of Endeavor Content, will take a seat on Ink Factory’s board.

Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, co-presidents of Endeavor Content, said: “Telling global stories to a worldwide audience is the essence of Endeavor Content, and The Ink Factory is uniquely positioned to create content that does just that. We are excited for this next chapter of continued growth together and look forward to what’s to come.”

Simon and Stephen Cornwell, co-CEOs and founders of The Ink Factory, added: “Today marks a big moment in The Ink Factory’s progress. This partnership with Endeavor Content will help us accelerate our growth as an independent studio and will significantly enhance our US market presence.

“We look forward to building on the fruitful collaboration we have had with Endeavor Content since their inception as our sales partner on The Night Manager and we are excited to enter the new decade with Chris, Graham and their brilliant team at our sides.”

Since its formation in 2010, The Ink Factory’s core pillar has been the adaptation of the work of Simon and Stephen Cornwell’s father, author John Le Carré, such as The Night Manager and The Little Drummer Girl. It has also enjoyed both box office and streaming success with films such as Fighting with My Family, A Most Wanted Man and Message from the King.