The Ink Factory

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.

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

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Film Production: Producing feature films including Fighting with My Family, Message from the King, A Most Wanted Man (2014), and Gold Mountain in development.
3. Gaming Partnership (Giant Squid): Partnership with Matt Nava to co-found digital studio Giant Squid, which developed acclaimed narrative games ABZÛ and The Pathless.
4. 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

Core 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

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered key and core.

• VO MediakeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 September 2025Korean 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 SquidkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Digital 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 AsiakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of Hindi-language Night Manager adaptation for Disney+ Hotstar. Banijay Asia is producing the Indian adaptation alongside The Ink Factory.
• Amusement Park FilmkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-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 StudioskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for Legacy of Spies series alongside The Ink Factory and Amusement Park Film.
• Fifth SeasoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal distribution and sales agent for The Ink Factory productions. Handles international sales for Legacy of Spies and other productions outside mainland China.
• Character 7keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerStephen 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 FilmskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner on The Night Manager Season 2 and Night Manager India.
• Nostromo PictureskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish production partner for The Night Manager Season 2.
• Beach House PictureskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore-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 ProductionskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on The Spy Who Came in From the Cold UK stage tour adaptation, in collaboration with The Ink Factory.
• Likely StorykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner on Ang Lee's Gold Mountain film adaptation, alongside Fifth Season and The Ink Factory.
• Fifth SeasoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHandles 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/TheInkFactory
• YouTubevimeo.com/inkfactoryfilms
• Facebookfacebook.com/inkfactoryfilms
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_ink_factory_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Ink Factory