showrunner

noun

show·​run·​ner ˈshō-ˌrə-nər 

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

To make the actors comfortable, the showrunners brought in additional intimacy coordinators. —Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025

Bentley Kyle Evans serves as executive producer, showrunner and director via Harvest StudiosTrenten W. Gumbs also executive produces, with Colyar and Shepard producing. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025

Sources confirm for TVLine that Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz are in talks to write and showrun anew, live-action Power Rangers series, to stream on Disney+. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 19 Mar. 2025

Under the television deal, which was led by Macy’s chief marketing officer Sharon Otterman, Macy’s is currently in the process of securing a showrunner and attaching talent for the lead roles. —David Moin, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showrunner

• forerunner
• brunner
• gunnar
• gunner
• runner
• tonner