John Gore Studios, the company that owns the British horror label Hammer Films, has acquired all rights to the complete works of author Dame Susan Hill, best known for her 1983 Gothic horror novel The Woman in Black. The deal, announced on October 12, 2026, positions the studio to develop material from her catalogue for film, television and, where possible, theatre.

Hammer previously adapted The Woman in Black into a 2012 feature starring Daniel Radcliffe. That film grossed $127.7 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing British horror movie in 20 years at the time, as well as Hammer’s biggest U.S. opening. The novel itself is widely regarded as one of the defining modern British ghost stories and inspired a long-running West End stage production that lasted 33 years.

John Gore Studios stated it intends to explore Hill’s portfolio across multiple platforms. The acquisition was led by Chief Operating Officer Anouska Spiers. Development will be overseen by Chief Creative Officer Francis Hopkinson and the wider creative team, while Spiers will manage the overall portfolio and exploitation strategy.

Founder and executive chairman John Gore 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.” The move continues efforts to revive Hammer following Gore’s purchase of the studio in late 2023, building on earlier successes tied to Hill’s signature story and opening new opportunities based on her broader body of writing.