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

Examples of showrunner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly for a Witcher season 4 cover story, showrunner Lauren Hissrich exclusively confirms that Minnie Driver will not return as the shape-shifting, time-traveling, parallel world-traipsing Seanchaí. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025

Lawrence executive produces the reboot, with Scrubs alums Tim Hobert and Aseem Batra as showrunners and executive producers. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025

The series hails from creator Alice Ju, who will serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025

Ju will be the showrunner of Superfakes and executive produce with Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie, Liu, Howard Klein and Olivia Gerke of 3 Arts, Ronald Bronstein and Eli Bush. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showrunner

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