showrunner

noun

show·​run·​ner ˈshō-ˌrə-nər How to pronounce showrunner (audio)
variants or less commonly show-runner or show runner
plural showrunners also show-runners or show runners
: a person who oversees the writing and production of each episode of a television series and has ultimate managerial and creative control over the series
A showrunner is more than just a producer. He or she is the creator or co-creator of a show and is a writer as well. These people are the guiding lights for a production. They are making decisions about casting, story arcs, as well as the day-to-day issues of getting a show done and ready for air.G. Michael Dobbs

Examples of showrunner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, Avengers: Infinity War) has officially joined the series regular cast of the Showtime Original Series Dexter: Resurrection, from executive producer and showrunner Clyde Phillips. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025 Dexter: Resurrection will be executive-produced by Clyde Phillips (Dexter, Dexter: Original Sin), who also returns as showrunner. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 11 Feb. 2025 This year’s Oscars will be hosted by Conan O’Brien, with Raj Kapoor serving as producer and showrunner alongside executive producer Katy Mullan. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025 To create the character of Belle in Apple Cider Vinegar, played by Kaitlyn Dever, showrunner Samantha Strauss turned to The Woman Who Fooled The World: The True Story of Fake Wellness Guru Belle Gibson, a nonfiction book about the scandal by journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano. Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for showrunner 

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of showrunner was in 1989

Dictionary Entries Near showrunner

Cite this Entry

“Showrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showrunner. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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