John Gore Studios acquires complete works of Woman in Black author Susan Hill

Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe starred in the 2012 film version of The Woman in Black

John Gore Studios, the film and television studio led by theatre producer John Gore, is extending its IP portfolio after acquiring all rights to the works of The Woman in Black author Susan Hill.

Hill’s publishing career has spanned more than six decades, encompassing gothic fiction, literary fiction, crime writing, children’s books, memoir and radio drama.

Her novel The Bird of Night was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1972, while other 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 Britain’s most celebrated ghost stories since its publication in 1983. It was adapted for television in 1989 and for the big screen in 2012, while a stage adaptation ran in London’s West End for 33 years.

The acquisition by John Gore Studios is part of the company’s plans to develop and exploit IP across film and television, with potential opportunities in theatre where rights arrangements allow. Hill’s work joins a growing portfolio that also includes Hammer Films (which coproduced the 2012 version of The Woman in Black), Hilltop Screen, Deep Fusion, Icon Film Distribution, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution, Silver Salt Restoration, Tyburn Films and Angels Costumes.

Gore said: “Our ambition is to approach these stories with the same care, craftsmanship and respect for character, suspense and atmosphere that Susan has brought to them throughout her career.”

Hill added: “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.”