The Ink Factory
The Ink Factory is an independent London- and Los Angeles-based production studio founded in 2010 that holds exclusive rights to John le Carré's 25-novel literary estate, producing premium television, film, and gaming content for global streamers including BBC, Amazon Prime Video, MGM+, AMC, Apple TV+, and Youku.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The Ink Factory does
The Ink Factory is an independent, privately-held film, television, and digital production studio founded in 2010 by Simon and Stephen Cornwell, sons of novelist John le Carré (David Cornwell). Headquartered in London with a second office in Los Angeles and operational presence in Mumbai and Seoul (via a wholly-owned Korean subsidiary established in 2021), the company specializes in adapting John le Carré's 25-novel literary estate into premium screen content. Its core technology is creative rather than computational: deep ownership of exclusive literary IP, transatlantic co-production deal-making, and relationships with every major global streamer and broadcaster.
The company's revenue model is a hybrid of professional services (producer fees, co-production margins, and overhead on film and TV productions for broadcasters and streamers including BBC, Amazon Prime Video, MGM+, AMC, Apple TV+, Disney+ Hotstar, and Youku) and licensing/royalties (international adaptation rights, format licensing to regional co-producers in India, China, and Korea, and gaming revenue through the jointly-controlled Giant Squid studio). The go-to-market motion is enterprise field sales: multi-year co-production deals and first-look distribution agreements rather than direct-to-consumer sales. Productions span prestige TV series (The Night Manager across three seasons and multiple regional adaptations; The Little Drummer Girl; Legacy of Spies; The Constant Gardener; A Most Wanted Man), feature films (Fighting with My Family, Gold Mountain in development), documentaries (The Pigeon Tunnel for Apple TV+), and narrative video games (ABZÛ, The Pathless).
Financing is structured around three pillars: (1) a $180 million development fund and minority equity stake from Endeavor Content (now Fifth Season), signed February 2020; (2) extended co-financing from 127 Wall Productions (Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai and Arthur Wang), originally established in 2017 and renewed through 2024; and (3) a BFI Grant from the UK Global Screen Fund awarded December 2021 to support Asian market expansion. Customer concentration is moderate: a small number of major platform partners account for the bulk of distribution revenue, but the geographic and platform spread across the Night Manager franchise alone (BBC, Amazon, AMC, Hotstar, Youku) limits single-counterparty dependency.
The Ink Factory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Ink Factory
- Legal name
- The Ink Factory Limited
- Website
- https://inkfactoryfilms.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Ink Factory is an independent London- and Los Angeles-based production studio founded in 2010 that holds exclusive rights to John le Carré's 25-novel literary estate, producing premium television, film, and gaming content for global streamers including BBC, Amazon Prime Video, MGM+, AMC, Apple TV+, and Youku.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where The Ink Factory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Ink Factory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Television Production: Producing television series for broadcasters and streaming platforms (BBC, Amazon, MGM+, AMC, Apple TV+, Disney+ Hotstar) through co-production deals and international sales.
- Film Production: Producing feature films including Fighting with My Family, Message from the King, A Most Wanted Man (2014), and Gold Mountain in development.
- Gaming Partnership (Giant Squid): Partnership with Matt Nava to co-found digital studio Giant Squid, which developed acclaimed narrative games ABZÛ and The Pathless.
- International Adaptations: Producing local adaptations of their content in international markets including India (Hindi Night Manager), China (Chinese Night Manager), and Korea (Korean A Most Wanted Man).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels3 records
The Ink Factory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Ink Factory is an independent film and television production studio that develops, produces, and finances premium drama content primarily based on adaptations of John le Carré's literary works. The company produces television series, feature films, and documentaries for major global broadcasters and streaming platforms, and also develops narrative video games through its joint venture Giant Squid.
Product overview
The Ink Factory is an independent film and television production studio specializing in high-end adaptations of literary works, particularly John le Carré novels. Their portfolio spans television series including 'The Night Manager' (with multiple international adaptations in India and China), 'The Little Drummer Girl', and 'Legacy of Spies'; feature films such as 'Fighting with My Family'; documentaries including 'The Pigeon Tunnel'; and gaming through their partner studio Giant Squid. The company operates from London and Los Angeles, producing content for global streaming platforms and broadcasters.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Night Manager Six-part TV adaptation of John le Carré's espionage drama about former British soldier Jonathan Pine recruited to infiltrate the inner circle of an international arms dealer. Won three Golden Globes, two Emmy Awards, and three BAFTA awards.
- The Little Drummer Girl TV miniseries adaptation of John le Carré's espionage novel about a young actress recruited as a double agent in a complex spy plot. Aired on BBC and AMC.
- The Constant Gardener Limited TV series adaptation of John le Carré's novel set in a post-pandemic context, in development with Lydia Adetunji writing the adaptation.
- Legacy of Spies Eight-part BBC and MGM+ thriller series adapting John le Carré's 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' and 'A Legacy of Spies', starring Matthew Macfadyen as George Smiley. Co-produced with Amusement Park Film.
- The Night Manager (Hindi Adaptation) Indian Hindi-language adaptation of The Night Manager for Disney+ Hotstar, starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Anil Kapoor. Nominated for International Emmy Awards 2024.
- The Night Manager (Chinese Adaptation) Chinese-language pan-Asian reimagining of The Night Manager for Youku, starring Eddie Peng and Sean Lau, shot across multiple Asian locations.
- A Most Wanted Man (German TV) German TV version of John le Carré's A Most Wanted Man novel, in development with Snabba Cash writer Oskar Söderlund as showrunner. Produced with Amusement Park Film.
- Fighting with My Family
Quantifiable outcome
- The Night Manager Season 1 reached over 180 countries and 40+ million viewers
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Ink Factory
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Ink Factory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The Ink Factory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered key and core.
- VO MediakeyKorean production company founded by veteran producers Park Bo-kyeong and Kim Shin-ho. Partnering on new Korean-language series adaptation of John le Carré's A Most Wanted Man. Kim Yun-shin writing screenplay, Kim Shin-ho leading production.
- Giant SquidkeyDigital studio co-founded by The Ink Factory and Matt Nava (formerly Art Director on Journey). Developed narrative games ABZÛ and The Pathless. Giant Squid created acclaimed games published by Annapurna Interactive.
- Banijay AsiakeyCo-producer of Hindi-language Night Manager adaptation for Disney+ Hotstar. Banijay Asia is producing the Indian adaptation alongside The Ink Factory.
- Amusement Park FilmkeyCo-producer on Legacy of Spies and A Most Wanted Man adaptations. Amusement Park previously co-produced the 2014 A Most Wanted Man feature film. Based in Germany, partner of Daniel Brühl.
- Paramount Television StudioskeyProduction partner for Legacy of Spies series alongside The Ink Factory and Amusement Park Film.
- Fifth SeasoncoreGlobal distribution and sales agent for The Ink Factory productions. Handles international sales for Legacy of Spies and other productions outside mainland China.
- Character 7keyStephen Garrett's production company, production partner on The Night Manager (Seasons 1-3) and other projects. Stephen Garrett serves as executive producer on Night Manager.
- Demarest FilmskeyCo-production partner on The Night Manager Season 2 and Night Manager India.
- Nostromo PictureskeySpanish production partner for The Night Manager Season 2.
- Beach House PictureskeySingapore-based production company partnering with The Ink Factory to revive Cleopatra Wong franchise. BHP co-founders Donovan Chan and Jocelyn Little leading production.
- Second Half ProductionskeyPartner on The Spy Who Came in From the Cold UK stage tour adaptation, in collaboration with The Ink Factory.
- Likely StorykeyCo-production partner on Ang Lee's Gold Mountain film adaptation, alongside Fifth Season and The Ink Factory.
- Fifth SeasoncoreHandles global sales for Night Manager China adaptation outside mainland China, with Alistair Jennings as Senior VP of APAC sales and partnerships.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Ink Factory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sister Pictures: UK independent producer of prestige drama (Chernobyl, The Split, Fleabag) with strong streamer relationships. Highly comparable on size, editorial focus, and BBC/Amazon/Apple TV+ co-production model.
- Working Title Films: London-based independent film and TV studio (Bridget Jones, Love Actually, Baby Reindeer). Comparable independent UK production company scaling between film and prestige TV with global streamers.
- Bad Wolf: Welsh independent studio producing prestige drama (His Dark Materials, Industry, Doctor Who). Comparable scale and business model: BBC/streaming co-productions, transatlantic talent, literary IP adaptations.
- Left Bank Pictures: UK-based premium drama producer (The Crown, Jack Ryan). Similar scale, BBC/Sky/Amazon co-production model, prestige literary adaptations, and transatlantic partnerships.
- Carnival Films: Long-running UK prestige drama producer (Downton Abbey, The Peripheral). Similar scale and broadcaster co-production model; comparable literary adaptation pipeline with global streaming distribution.
- See-Saw Films: Independently owned UK/Australia premium TV and film producer (Slow Horses, The Power of the Dog). Direct peer: similar-sized, prestige-focused, novelist-adaptation heavy, working with the same global streamers and broadcasters.
- Character 7: Stephen Garrett's UK prestige drama producer (The Night Manager co-producer). Direct peer and active co-production partner; comparable scale and editorial focus on literary-driven premium drama.
Others
- Annapurna Interactive: Publisher of Giant Squid's games (ABZÛ, The Pathless). Relevant ecosystem peer for The Ink Factory's gaming arm, comparable as an indie publisher/developer of narrative-driven premium entertainment.
Broad incumbents
- A24: US independent studio producing prestige film and prestige television (Euphoria, The Curse). Larger and broader indie incumbent operating in the same premium creative tier with global streamers.
- All3Media: Major UK-headquartered independent production group owning multiple scripted labels (Left Bank, Company Pictures, New Pictures). Larger and broader incumbent in the same premium scripted space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Ink Factory social profiles
Digital presenceThe Ink Factory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Ink Factory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
The Ink Factory subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
The Ink Factory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Ink Factory M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Ink Factory
What does The Ink Factory do?
The Ink Factory is an independent film and television production studio that develops, produces, and finances premium drama content primarily based on adaptations of John le Carré's literary works. The company produces television series, feature films, and documentaries for major global broadcasters and streaming platforms, and also develops narrative video games through its joint venture Giant Squid.
Is The Ink Factory a public or private company?
The Ink Factory is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was The Ink Factory founded?
The Ink Factory was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Ink Factory based?
The Ink Factory is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Ink Factory make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Television Production is the primary driver. The others are film Production, gaming Partnership (Giant Squid) and international Adaptations.
Who are The Ink Factory's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sister Pictures, Working Title Films, Bad Wolf, Left Bank Pictures, Carnival Films, See-Saw Films and Character 7. Annapurna Interactive is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are A24 and All3Media.
Does The Ink Factory have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Ink Factory.