Hammer Owner John Gore Studios Buys Susan Hill's Complete Works

John Gore Studios, the owner of British horror studio Hammer Films, has acquired all rights to the complete works of Dame Susan Hill, author of the 1983 Gothic horror novel "The Woman in Black."

The deal reunites Hill's library with the studio behind the 2012 film adaptation that earned $127.7 million worldwide. That Daniel Radcliffe-led Hammer production became the highest-grossing British horror film in 20 years and posted the biggest U.S. opening in Hammer's history.

Hill's source material has already proven its stage power. "The Woman in Black" ran in London's West End for 33 years, making it one of the most enduring British ghost stories of the modern era in any medium.

What does the acquisition cover?

The rights extend well beyond Hill's most famous title. Her publishing career spans more than six decades and encompasses:

• Literary fiction, including "The Bird of Night," shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1972
• Crime writing
• Children's books
• Memoir
• Radio drama

Her honours include the Somerset Maugham Award, the Whitbread Novel Award and election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

John Gore Studios said it plans to develop the portfolio across film and television, with theater opportunities under consideration where existing rights arrangements allow.

Who is driving the deal?

Chief Operating Officer Anouska Spiers led the acquisition. Chief Creative Officer Francis Hopkinson and the wider creative team will oversee development, while Spiers manages the portfolio and exploitation strategy. Hill will stay actively involved in new creative projects, sit within the ongoing management relationship around the portfolio, and take executive producer credits on new projects.

"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," Spiers said. "The Success of 'The Woman in Black' proved the power of her storytelling on screen, but that is only the beginning."

The author, for her part, welcomed the arrangement. "For any author, it's heartening to see their stories continue to find new life," Hill said. "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."

Founder and executive chairman John Gore, the theater mogul who bought Hammer in late 2023, framed the deal as a custodial mission. "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," Gore said. "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."

He added: "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."

How does the deal fit Hammer's revival?

Gore recently told Variety that, after releasing 4K restorations of Hammer's library, he is now planning new screen adaptations of classic Hammer monsters including Dracula and Frankenstein. Hill's catalogue adds a contemporary literary dimension to that horror slate.

Spiers signaled a franchise-scale ambition: "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."

Hill is represented by Peters Fraser and Dunlop. PFD CEO and literary agent Caroline Michel was instrumental in bringing the transaction together and will continue representing John Gore Studios as owner of the works. With Hill attached as executive producer and a 33-year stage hit already behind the property, the first new adaptations from the deal will test whether Gothic suspense can again command the scale of the 2012 hit.