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

And what have the cast and showrunners said about its return? —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025

But the showrunners were soon eyeing a dark-haired, brown-eyed Cooke for the older role of Rhaenyra’s childhood best friend Alicent Hightower, the second wife of King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and daughter of Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

Also in the pipeline is the upcoming series The Huntress, created by David Zanardi (Sixteen) and executive-produced by Zanardi, Shanyn Maguire (Palindrome), and Metcalf, who will also serve as showrunner. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025

Based on the video game franchise of the same name, the show will be written by Charlie Covell, who also serves as executive producer and showrunner. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showrunner

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