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
G. Michael DobbsExamples of showrunner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As for the ship itself, the showrunners brought an East Coast college vibe to the set.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau serve as co-showrunners and executive producers alongside executive producers Gaia Violo, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Jenny Lumet, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, Frank Siracusa and John Weber.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Saturday’s panel featured stars Ethan Peck, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia and Martin Quinn, along with co-showrunners and executive producers Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers and executive producer Alex Kurtzman.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025
Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers serve as co-showrunners.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for showrunner
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.
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau serve as co-showrunners and executive producers alongside executive producers Gaia Violo, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Jenny Lumet, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, Frank Siracusa and John Weber.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Saturday’s panel featured stars Ethan Peck, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia and Martin Quinn, along with co-showrunners and executive producers Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers and executive producer Alex Kurtzman.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025
Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers serve as co-showrunners.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for showrunner
Cite this Entry
“Showrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showrunner. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share