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

Trefry will also serve as showrunner and executive producer on the series. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

Nobody Wants This was created by Erin Foster who serves as co-showrunner alongside Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026

Creator Louisa Levy serves as co-showrunner and executive produceralongside Gina Fattore. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026

In this season, series creator-showrunner-writer Joe Barton (Giri/Haji, the Amadeus TV series) continues to excavate the theme while raising the stakes from the micro or personal to the geopolitically consequential (and still personal). — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showrunner

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