showrunner

noun

show·​run·​ner ˈshō-ˌrə-nər How to pronounce showrunner (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lyle and Bart Nickerson created the series and serve as showrunners with Jonathan Lisco. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025 Yu created, executive produced and served as showrunner of Interior Chinatown based on his novel of the same name, winner of the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction, for Hulu and 20th Television. Denise Petski, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025 Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss are executive producers and showrunners for White Cherry Entertainment. Paul Grein, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2025 While making new series Étoile, showrunner and co-creator Amy Sherman-Palladino had to ask actors to slow down their dialogue. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for showrunner

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of showrunner was in 1989

Cite this Entry

“Showrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showrunner. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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