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

Definition of showrunner

: 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

Examples of showrunner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The network has ordered a 10-episode first season for Halo, with Awake creator Kyle Killen serving as showrunner. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "Showtime is making a Halo TV series," 28 June 2018 If the pilot is picked up to series, Goldman will serve as showrunner. — Megan Friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Is the “Age of Heroes” From Game of Thrones?," 16 June 2018 Netflix has been ramping up its showrunner pacts of late. — Bryn Elise Sandberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Netflix Inks Overall Deal With ‘Money Heist’ Creator," 12 July 2018 In a phone interview, showrunner Bruce Miller talked about June’s decision to stay in Gilead, going off book in Season 2, and the show’s continued connection to the real-world politics of today. — Yvonne Villarreal, latimes.com, "We talked to 'The Handmaid's Tale' showrunner Bruce Miller about that Season 2 finale," 11 July 2018 At the time, the approach was bold and creator-friendly, opening an exciting new avenue for showrunners who were looking to set up their projects. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "AT&T plans to expand HBO, but could destroy it in the process," 11 July 2018 Or the writing, by a team headed up by showrunner Marti Noxon (of Buffy and UnREAL fame) and Flynn, which takes its time unfolding the several layers of small-town mystery alongside its deeper and deeper exploration of Camille’s character. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "What makes HBO’s Sharp Objects so good is hiding in plain sight," 6 July 2018 If there is a season 3, there's a good chance showrunners will want to further develop this romance that had fans weeping tears of joy. — Victoria Rodriguez, Seventeen, ""13 Reasons Why" Star Chelsea Alden Shares Her Favorite Season 3 Fan Theory So Far," 31 May 2018 In the hands of its showrunner, Marti Noxon, and Flynn, who wrote several episodes, the eight-part series is told with literary invention. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Twisted, Enthralling Rot of Sharp Objects," 7 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'showrunner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.