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
G. Michael DobbsExamples of showrunner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So if Bobby were make a comeback, Bassett wouldn't be hearing it from 9-1-1 showrunner Tim Minear, who has stood firm on his decision to kill Bobby despite Krause's vocal desire to stay on the show.
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Issa López, who wrote and directed Season 4, aka True Detective: Night Country, returns as showrunner in Season 5, which is expected to start shooting next year for a planned 2027 premiere.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 21 Aug. 2025
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, which is executive-produced by Knox and features a finale co-written by her and showrunner K.J. Steinberg, is an attempt to redefine her as a girl rather than a temptress, an innocent rather than a murderer.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2025
Angel Gamboa Bryant Regina Hicks, who is the showrunner and one of the head writers, was also the director of this episode.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
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Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Issa López, who wrote and directed Season 4, aka True Detective: Night Country, returns as showrunner in Season 5, which is expected to start shooting next year for a planned 2027 premiere.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 21 Aug. 2025
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, which is executive-produced by Knox and features a finale co-written by her and showrunner K.J. Steinberg, is an attempt to redefine her as a girl rather than a temptress, an innocent rather than a murderer.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2025
Angel Gamboa Bryant Regina Hicks, who is the showrunner and one of the head writers, was also the director of this episode.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for showrunner
Cite this Entry
“Showrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showrunner. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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