Endeavor Content buys into ‘The Little Drummer Girl’ prodco The Ink Factory

The Little Drummer Girl

Endeavor Content is taking a minority stake in The Ink Factory, the London and LA-based production firm behind dramas including The Night Manager and The Little Drummer Girl.

The deal will see Endeavor set up a bespoke development fund for Ink to draw on and allow the companies to work together to create high-end TV series for the US, which tackle themes of contemporary global relevance, developed out of Ink’s LA base.

As part of the deal, Endeavor Content will have a formal first-look agreement covering both film and TV to sell forthcoming Ink Factory projects internationally.

Rod Henwood

The partnership is the latest step in the long-running relationship between the two companies, which has seen Endeavor invest both equity and development funding into Ink across US and international projects.

The two companies have also made a commitment to collaborate in new areas such as podcasts and other digital projects. Following completion of the deal, Chris Rice, co-president of Endeavor Content, will take a seat on The Ink Factory’s board.

Graham Taylor and Rice, co-presidents of Endeavor Content, said: “Telling global stories to a worldwide audience is the essence of Endeavor Content, and The Ink Factory is uniquely positioned to create content that does just that.  We are excited for this next chapter of continued growth together and look forward to what’s to come.”

Simon and Stephen Cornwell, co-CEOs and founders at The Ink Factory, said the deal marked “a big moment” in their company’s “progress.”

The Night Manager

“This partnership with Endeavor Content will help us accelerate our growth as an independent studio and will significantly enhance our US market presence. We look forward to building on the fruitful collaboration we have had with Endeavor Content since their inception as our sales partner on The Night Manager, and we are excited to enter the new decade with Chris, Graham and their brilliant team at our sides.”

The prodco was launched in 2010 and has been behind TV series including The Night Manager and The Little Drummer Girl,  while films include Fighting with My Family, A Most Wanted Man, and Message from the King.

Last year, Endeavor Content shifted its distribution operations from Los Angeles to London, hiring Prentiss Fraser to oversee operations. The company has also been acquiring companies, including The Wall producer Glassman Media.

That came after the Hollywood agency, whose distribution arm is also behind shows such as Killing Eve, decided to shelve plans for an IPO in the autumn, which could have raised around $700m.

The Ink Factory deal was negotiated by Rod Henwood, Ink’s chief strategy officer, and Tim Robinson, chief operating officer, for Endeavor Content. Raine acted as financial advisors to The Ink Factory on the transaction and Wiggin served as lawyers on the deal.