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. … 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

Carrie is written and executive produced by showrunner Flanagan (Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House), with King also serving as executive producer. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Carrie is written and executive produced by showrunner Mike Flanagan (Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House), with Stephen King also serving as executive producer. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

The 2022 suit followed AMC’s $200-million settlement a year earlier with former showrunner Frank Darabont and his agency, CAA, in a case first filed in 2013. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The series was developed by Clyde Phillips, who also serves as showrunner and executive producer. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showrunner

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