Seasoned Swedish producer Marianne Gray is the new head of L.A. based Yellow Bird US, a joint-venture between Banijay Group’s Bunim/Murray Productions (BMP) and Banijay-owned Yellow Bird Sweden.

Gray whose credits includes the TV series Occupied and feature film Headhunters, will be in charge of developing and producing original English language scripted content for US and international audience and will look into exploiting Banijay Group’s existing formats. She will work closely with BMP’s Chairman and CEO Gil Goldschein.

Gray has already optioned rights to Swedish author Åsa Schwartz ‘s best-selling novel The 7 Keys, and British author Lisa Jewell’s novel I Found You.

Gray said: “The partnership with Bunim/Murray provides the perfect opportunity to transport Yellow Bird into the U.S. and I look forward to bringing a Scandi edge to the American Scripted market. While the set-up is in its early stages, we already have two of our formats in the works and a couple of new book titles we are looking to introduce to the market.”

Marco Bassetti, CEO Banijay Group added: “Yellow Bird U.S. is the result of two of the Group’s leading brands coming together in one of the world’s biggest markets. The original Swedish label has long built a strong reputation for high-quality, award-winning drama, and we look forward to seeing this success replicated via the partnership with fellow market-leader, BMP.”

The opening of Yellow Bird US and expansion into English language scripted content follows the company’s launch of a London office a year ago, under Berna Levin’s aegis.

Meanwhile Yellow Bird Sweden recently added to its Stockholm in-house staff producer Alexia Wennberg, and Stefan Baron, Executive Producer and new Head of Business Affairs.

At MIPCOM Banijay Rights will launch Yellow Bird’s upcoming fantasy thriller Hidden (Viaplay/TV3) at a special world premiere screening on Tuesday. Main star Izabella Scorupco will introduce the show together with producer Berna Levin and co-producer Georgie Matthews.

Other Yellow Bird TV shows on Banjjay Rights’ line up include The Truth Will Out (Kanal5/Viaplay), Occupied (Viaplay/Arte) and Rebecka Martinsson (TV4/ARD Degeto)