Yellow Bird’s Stefan Baron steps down - Jakob Feeney promoted as CEO

As CEO of Banijay-controlled Swedish production outfit Yellow Bird, Feeney will oversee a team of 20 people and seek new business opportunities. He will report to Banijay Nordic’s CEO, Jacob Houlind, and the region’s Head of Scripted, Johannes Jensen.

Baron for his part will be stepping down from his CEO position which he has held since 2020. He first joined Yellow Bird in 2018 from Nent Group/Viaplay where he worked as Head of International Co-production. Prior to that he was Head of Drama at SVT.

Baron’s long credit list as executive producer includes The Bridge, Real Humans, Thicker than Water, Midnight Sun, The Hunt for a Killer and Headhunters.

Speaking to nordicfilmandtvnews.com, the high-profile and esteemed TV executive Baron said he is leaving Yellow Bird for personal reasons. “I’ve decided to prioritise other things in life than work; I’m turning 65 this summer and will therefore semi-retire. It’s been great working at Yellow Bird. I will definitely miss my colleagues but this is I think the best thing for me right now.”

Known for its focus on adaptations of celebrated crime literary IP, Yellow Bird is credited for several iconic films and series such the Millennium Trilogy, Occupied, Rebecca Martinsson and over 30 Wallander films.

Most recently, the company picked up a Kristallen Award - Best Supporting Actor for Viaplay’s crime show The Truth Will Out.

Upcoming shows include the Norwegian drama thriller Headhunters, inspired by Jo Nesbø’s eponymous best-selling novel, jointly commissioned by C More in Sweden and TV2 Norway. The series will premiere October 10 on the Swedish streamer.

The hit series Backström starring Kjell Bergqvist will be back for a third season on C More, and Viaplay’s Threesome for a second season.

Meanwhile Yellow Bird UK’s anticipated six-part series The Playlist inspired by the success story of Spotify Swedish founders, is due to premiere on Netflix October 13.​