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
McKeown is the showrunner of the limited series set in Newfoundland, Canada’s easternmost province, and centering on a mysterious sea creature terrorizing a remote seaside town.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
Gardiner will serve as showrunner and executive producer, and Mylod will direct multiple episodes in addition to serving as executive producer.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Ideally, the Love Island Games showrunners won’t have to post multiple social media statements pleading for the viewers to stop bullying, harassing, and doxxing contestants, as was required for Love Island USA.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
Although showrunner Benjamin Cavell doesn’t show much interest in digging deeper than a surface-level appreciation of King’s challenging juxtapositions, his simple story (shown with equal nonchalance by director and executive producer Jack Bender) still evokes the faintest pathos for Luke’s plight.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 July 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.
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
Gardiner will serve as showrunner and executive producer, and Mylod will direct multiple episodes in addition to serving as executive producer.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Ideally, the Love Island Games showrunners won’t have to post multiple social media statements pleading for the viewers to stop bullying, harassing, and doxxing contestants, as was required for Love Island USA.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
Although showrunner Benjamin Cavell doesn’t show much interest in digging deeper than a surface-level appreciation of King’s challenging juxtapositions, his simple story (shown with equal nonchalance by director and executive producer Jack Bender) still evokes the faintest pathos for Luke’s plight.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 July 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 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share