David Farnor | On 22, Sep 2021

Netflix is readying to acquire the Roald Dahl Story Company.

The streamer is no stranger to the iconic author’s works, with a deal signed back in 2018 that will bring characters from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, The Twits and more to the screen under Netflix’s care. The agreement will delve into Dahl’s bestselling catalogue to create new series that remain faithful to the quintessential spirit and tone of the author’s work, while building out an imaginative story universe that expands beyond the pages of the books themselves.

With Taika Waititi already on board for the first Dahl series based around Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – and with a film of Matilda the musical also on the way, in partnership with Sony and Working Title – you’d be forgiven for thinking that Netflix’s plans were already nearing fruition. Now, however, Netflix has announced that it’s going one stage further and will acquire the Roald Dahl Story Company altogether.

The Roald Dahl Story Company protects and grows the cultural value of The Roald Dahl stories with its unique breadth of characters and worlds. With 300 million books sold and 1 new book sold every 2.6 seconds, Roald Dahl stories continue to grow in popularity globally, attracting new audiences with innovative new developments in book, entertainment and beyond.

“This acquisition builds on the partnership we started three years ago to create a slate of animated TV series,” says Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s Co-CEO and Chief Content Officer.

“These projects opened our eyes to a much more ambitious venture – the creation of a unique universe across animated and live action films and TV, publishing, games, immersive experiences, live theatre, consumer products and more. Roald Dahl’s books have been translated into 63 languages and sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, with characters like Matilda, The BFG, Fantastic Mr Fox, Willy Wonka and The Twits delighting generations of children and adults. These stories and their messages of the power and possibility of young people have never felt more pertinent.

“As we bring these timeless tales to more audiences in new formats, we’re committed to maintaining their unique spirit and their universal themes of surprise and kindness, while also sprinkling some fresh magic into the mix.”

“We want to say a huge thank you to all the people who have contributed to this great story so far,” adds Luke Kelly, Managing Director, RDSC and Roald Dahl’s grandson. “Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue the close working relationships established by RDSC with existing rights holders, publishing, theatre and entertainment partners, and many others to protect and grow the great legacy of these beloved stories.”

Completion of the transaction will be subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

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