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

Felicia Pride is the show’s creator, showrunner, executive producer and writer, while Debbie Allen — who helmer 83 episodes of the original series — returned as director and executive producer. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Matt Nix serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside executive producers McG, Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto and Mike Horowitz. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Sons of Anarchy’s Mike Daniels and Shades of Blue’s Wolfe Coleman are co-showrunners for the series. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

The combination of spectacle and intimacy is well balanced, in part because Kazan and her co-showrunner Jeb Stuart are so dialed into their characters. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showrunner

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