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

Daniel co-created the comedy with Eugene, his father, and is showrunner. — Los Angeles Times, "Eugene Levy and his son Dan find ‘Schitt’s Creek’ is not such a bad place to be," 12 Aug. 2019 The writing issues could actually be a strength if the showrunners were willing to lean into their inadequacies. — Noah Berlatsky, The Verge, "Netflix’s Wu Assassins series lacks the Hong Kong cinema magic," 8 Aug. 2019 Bashir Salahuddin is showrunner along with longtime writing partner Diallo Riddle, who also has an on-camera role. — Nina Metz, chicagotribune.com, "The Chicago roots of the creative team behind Comedy Central’s ‘South Side’," 25 July 2019 Along with working on Black-ish, the showrunner is an executive producer on the show’s upcoming spin-off Mixed-ish and currently executive produces Freeform’s Grown-ish. — Sydney Scott, Essence, "Kid Cudi, Kenya Barris Team Up For New Animated Netflix Series," 23 July 2019 The showrunner is Stephanie Simpson, who has found a smart way to incorporate the graphic novels’ cast of characters (which builds slowly across the series) into much of season one of the show, while also finding magic in the mundane. — Emily Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Netflix’s Hilda is a gorgeous, melancholy kids’ show about emotional maturity," 14 June 2019 Are showrunners going for a Handmaid’s Tale season 4, or will June’s (Elisabeth Moss) story end by the end of summer? — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4 Is Bound to Be the Most Troubling One Yet," 12 June 2019 The series will be written by Nicole Asher; directed by Eve’s Bayou helmerm Kasi Lemmons; and Elle Johnson and Janine Sherman Barrois will serve as showrunners. — Paula Rogo, Essence, "Tiffany Haddish And More Join Octavia Spencer In Netflix's 'Madam CJ Walker' Series," 7 Aug. 2019 Williamson, who is African American, was also highly critical of how her claims were handled by showrunner and executive producer Alexi Hawley, who is white. — Washington Post, "‘The Rookie’ star alleges sexual harassment, discrimination," 5 Aug. 2019

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.