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Farshore snaps up Jack Meggitt-Phillips' Jekyll and Hyde-inspired middle-grade series
Farshore has snapped up Jack Meggitt-Phillips’ new Jekyll and Hyde-inspired middle-grade series in a two-book deal.
The deal was struck by Lucy Courtenay, senior commissioning editor at Farshore, who acquired world rights for two books from Rachel Mann, literary agent at CAA.
The books will be illustrated by Holly Swain, award-winning author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed Colin’s Castle and Colin’s Grandma. Ryan Hammond, art director at Farshore, secured the illustration rights from Becky Wilson, agent at The Plum Agency.
The first book, Jekyll vs Hyde: The Potion of Doom, continues in the footsteps of the original novella and follows spoiled, cunning boy Henrik Jekyll, who rediscovers Dr Jekyll’s potion created in 1886 and accidentally unleashes a brand-new Hyde who will change his life forever.
Meggitt-Phillips is known for his award-winning debut series, The Beast and the Bethany, which is published in 32 territories, and has had a film deal announced with Warner Bros.
He said: “I have been worryingly obsessed with Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde since a teenager, so it has been a giddy, terrifying delight concocting this new tale for young readers. Holly is an evil genius and I couldn’t hope for groovier or more gruesome laboratory partners in Farshore. Now might be a good time for everyone to run and… HYDE!”
Swain added: “I am thrilled to be working with Jack, ‘Mr Gothic’, on his next series and I am busily sharpening my pencils to see what comes next in this dark and frightful tale. I’m delighted to continue working with the fantastic Farshore team.”
Courtenay said: “Jack Meggitt-Phillips is the dastardly duke of Gothic, middle-grade fun. Following the global triumph of his debut series, we can’t wait to unleash his hilarious version of the Jekyll and Hyde story on unsuspecting readers aged 8-12. Should they be afraid? Probably.”
The first book in the series, The Potion of Doom, will publish in autumn 2026 in paperback, with the second book following in 2027.
