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

Michelle Nader joined as acting showrunner for production. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025

Glatzer is writer, executive producer and showrunner. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025

Conceived by creator and showrunner Michele Val Jean, the characters are brought to glorious life by the series' cast, which ranges from TV legends and soap veterans to film stars and promising newcomers. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2025

Below, showrunners Alexandra Clarke and Heather Conkie break down the finale’s big surprises and get emotional talking about Colton and Alice’s touching grandfather-granddaughter moment. —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showrunner

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