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

Patrick Sean Smith returns as showrunner and executive producer. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2026

Terry Matalas and Cindy Appel serve as executive producers and co-showrunners. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026

Slaughter is the sole writer on every episode and serves as showrunner and executive producer. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2026

Worse is how The Good Daughter, adapted by veteran suspense author and rookie showrunner Karin Slaughter from her 2017 best seller, collects horrors, as though cataloging everything awful that could happen to a woman. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showrunner

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