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

Heaton quickly got on a Zoom with showrunner and creator Jesse McKeown and executive producer and director Jamie Childs, who were location scouting in Newfoundland at the time of the conversation. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Gail Lerner, who co-created the series with Curtis, is out as showrunner. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

Konietzko will serve as showrunner on the upcoming series produced by Avatar Studios and Nickelodeon Animation Studio. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

According to showrunner Michele Fazekas, the episode was written and shot in July. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showrunner

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