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
Melissa Rosenberg, the creator and showrunner of Jessica Jones, also works on Dexter.
—Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
The showrunner has flaunted his distaste for mainstream Hollywood, and the feeling may be mutual: this summer, his six ongoing series were once again snubbed by the Emmys.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Both also serve as showrunners, executive producers and writers.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
Hailing from Apple Studios and Counterpart Studios, the series is written and executive produced by creator and showrunner Rosen (Sugar, Hunters), and directed and executive produced by David Gordon Green (Halloween, Mythic Quest).
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for showrunner
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
The showrunner has flaunted his distaste for mainstream Hollywood, and the feeling may be mutual: this summer, his six ongoing series were once again snubbed by the Emmys.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Both also serve as showrunners, executive producers and writers.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
Hailing from Apple Studios and Counterpart Studios, the series is written and executive produced by creator and showrunner Rosen (Sugar, Hunters), and directed and executive produced by David Gordon Green (Halloween, Mythic Quest).
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 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 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share