‘Sherlock’ Producer Hartswood Films Acquired by ITV Studios

As a long-time movie buff with a deep appreciation for British television, I can’t contain my excitement about ITV Studios’ recent acquisition of a majority stake in Hartswood Films. With a rich history dating back to 1979 and a roster of renowned talent like Sue Vertue, Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Benedict Cumberbatch, Stanley Tucci, and Karen Gillan, Hartswood Films has been a staple in the industry for decades.


ITV Studios now owns more than half of Hartswood Films, the company responsible for creating the award-winning “Sherlock” TV shows.

Since its inception in 1979, Hartswood has held the title as the U.K.’s most enduring scripted television production company. Under the leadership of CEO Sue Vertue, Hartswood Films has given birth to many acclaimed series. Among their recent successes are “Douglas Is Cancelled” on ITVX and ITV1, as well as “The Devil’s Hour” on Prime Video.

The company, which has offices in London and Cardiff, collaborates with a pooled team of creatives, namely writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, as well as actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Stanley Tucci, and Karen Gillan.

Hartswood’s recent projects encompass “Dracula” and “Inside Man” for both the BBC and Netflix, along with “Wolf” and “The Control Room” for the BBC. Notably, their renowned show “Sherlock” has been purchased by over 200 countries globally.

ITV Studios will handle international distribution for future Hartswood Films commissions.

As a long-time fan of British television, I can’t help but be thrilled by Julian Bellamy’s announcement welcoming Hartswood Films to ITV Studios. Their impressive portfolio speaks for itself – from the classic “Men Behaving Badly” to modern masterpieces like “Sherlock,” and intriguing new series such as “The Devil’s Hour” and “Douglas is Cancelled.”

Sue Vertue, CEO of Hartswood Films, expressed: “Hartswood isn’t impulsive, and it’s been a long 40-year journey for us to arrive at this point: we are thrilled, then, to announce our partnership with ITV Studios. We’ve consistently welcomed investment from individuals who share our commitment to independence – the core principle of Hartswood. With ITV Studios joining us, we bring on board a wealth of fresh abilities and expertise. As a compact team, we’ve accomplished much on our own, but now, we can hardly contain our enthusiasm for the vast opportunities ahead with ITV Studios.”

ITV’s international content business is expanding with this acquisition. Hartswood Films now becomes part of the ITV Studios family, joining new members such as Quay Street Productions, Happy Prince, Poison Pen Studios, and Plimsoll Productions.

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2024-07-25 09:46