Overview of the showrunner profession
The showrunner is the writer-producer who runs a series: they oversee the writing, artistic consistency, and production of each episode, working with the screenwriters, directors, and the broadcaster.
In France, the role is also called series director. The job is learned through experience, most often after a Bac+5 in audiovisual production or series writing.
Duties, skills, training, salary: here is what you need to know to become a showrunner.
Showrunner: Definition and Translation → Showrunner, Executive Producer, Director: What Are the Differences? → What Are a Showrunner’s Duties? → What Skills Are Needed to Become a Showrunner? → Where Does a Showrunner Work? Status and Employers → What Training Is Needed to Become a Showrunner? → What Is a Showrunner’s Salary in France? →
In Brief: The Showrunner Profession
| Other Job Titles | series director, writer-producer, head writer, creative producer |
|---|---|
| Recommended Education Level | Bac+5 (audiovisual production or series writing), then experience |
| Starting Salary | €3,000 to €5,000 gross/month (source: CIDJ) |
| Employers | production companies, TV channels, streaming platforms |
| Key Skills | serial writing, leading creative teams, production management |
| Career Progression | executive producer, film producer, head of several series |
| IESA Program | Master Audiovisual and Film Production and Distribution - Bac+5, RNCP 42330, work-study possible |
A showrunner is the person who “runs” a series (to run the show): they are at once the main writer, the manager of the creative teams, and the person in charge of day-to-day production. The term, born in American television, has no official French equivalent: people use series director, writer-producer, or head writer.
In practice, the showrunner defines the universe and narrative line of the series, approves the scripts for each episode, runs the writers' room, and arbitrates casting, directing, and editing choices with the producer and the broadcaster. They ensure the artistic consistency of the season, from writing to broadcast.
In France, the role took hold in the 2010s with series driven by their showrunner: Spiral (Anne Landois), The Bureau (Éric Rochant), Call My Agent! (Fanny Herrero), or A French Village (Frédéric Krivine).
Showrunner, Executive Producer, Director: What Are the Differences?
The showrunner carries the creative vision and overall consistency of a series; the executive producer manages the budget, contracts, and the relationship with the broadcaster; the director stages one or more episodes.
In the United States, one person often holds the first two roles: Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy) or the Duffer brothers (Stranger Things) are credited as “executive producers.”
| Role | Responsibility | Scope |
| Showrunner | Creative vision, direction of the writing, artistic consistency of the season | The entire series, from writing to post-production |
| Executive producer | Funding, budget, contracts, relationship with the broadcaster | The production as a whole |
| Director | Staging, directing actors, shooting | One or more episodes |
| Screenwriter | Writing episodes under the direction of the showrunner | One episode or storyline |
In France, the line is more flexible: the showrunner is often a head writer associated with production, sometimes without being the original creator of the series.
What are the responsibilities of a showrunner?
Day to day, the showrunner writes, directs and arbitrates: they run the writers' room, oversee each episode and serve as the single point of contact for the producer and the broadcaster. Their responsibilities cover four areas.
Creation and Writing
Design the series bible (characters, story arcs, …)
Write or rewrite the key scripts for each episode
Approve each version of the episodes before production
Team Management
Recruit and lead the writers in the writers' room
Brief the directors, department heads and actors
Ensure artistic consistency from one episode to the next
Production
Build the season schedule with the producer
Make decisions on casting, sets and editing within the budget
Follow the shoot and post-production of each episode
Relationship with the Broadcaster
Present and defend the series (pitch, statement of intent)
Incorporate feedback from the network or platform
Handle production contingencies throughout the season
What skills do you need to become a showrunner?
A showrunner must be a strong writer, a manager and an administrator all at once: 3 skills rarely found together, which explains how rare such profiles are.
Personal Qualities
- Vision and the ability to make decisions
- Leadership and listening skills
- Stress resilience
- Versatility and general knowledge
- Diplomacy with the producer and the broadcaster
Technical Skills
- Serial writing and dramaturgy: season structure, story arcs, cliffhangers
- Knowledge of series and formats: networks, platforms, international markets
- Production management: budget, scheduling, audiovisual law and contracts
- Reading audience data and marketing sensibility
- Professional English, essential on international co-productions
Where does a showrunner work?
A showrunner works for a production company, a television network or a streaming platform: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Canal+, France Télévisions or Arte.
In France, the profession has no official status because it varies depending on the project:
- they are an employee of the production
- freelance performing arts worker (intermittent du spectacle)
- or author paid in royalties
- and often all three at once.
Unlike the American model, where the showrunner is almost always the creator of the series and its executive producer, the French showrunner may be hired to lead the writing of a series they did not create.
The rise of platforms and international co-productions is increasing demand for profiles able to handle both writing and production.
What training leads to becoming a showrunner?
There is no specific showrunner degree.
This role is generally taken up after training in audiovisual media or writing.
Then several years of experience as a screenwriter, head writer or production professional.
| Duration | 2 years after a Bac+3 · October intake |
|---|---|
| Schedule | Initial training or work-study |
| Certification | RNCP title level 7 no. 42330 |
Master Audiovisual & Film Production and Distribution
The master develops the skills needed to understand and manage an audiovisual project, from conception to distribution. Students work notably on serial writing, production, audiovisual law, platforms and international markets.
Career paths: producer, production director, production administrator, program or distribution manager.
TV Series · Screenwriting Expertise · Production Management · Audiovisual Law · VOD and Distribution · Short Film
Good to know: career change
- The master is open after a Bac+3.
- Bac+1 or Bac+2 profiles can move toward the Bachelor Cultural Production
- Professionals can explore a VAE with the admissions team.
- 74% of graduates find a job within six months after completing their programs
What are the career paths of a showrunner?
The showrunner role is already a position of a high level of responsibility. It is generally preceded by experience as a screenwriter, head writer, development executive or creative producer.
With experience, a showrunner can create and lead their own series, oversee several writing teams, work on international co-productions or move into creative direction and executive producer roles.
Some professionals also choose to found their own production company or to develop film projects. These career moves depend on their background, their network and the success of the works they have worked on.
What is a showrunner’s salary in France?
On the job front, demand is growing with the multiplication of series commissioned by platforms and networks and the development of European co-productions.
Positions are few and are earned through experience and networking: hence the importance of internships, work-study, and professional festivals during the program.
| Profile | Salary | Context |
| Beginner | €3,000 to €5,000 | Employee, intermittent, or author status; network or platform |
| Advanced | €5,000 to €7,500 | Large-scale series, expanded responsibilities |
| Large prod. | Over €7,500 + bonuses | Platforms, international co-productions |
Source: CIDJ, Producer career profile. Indicative ranges.
Literally "the person who keeps the show running" (to run the show). Common translations are series director, writer-producer, and head writer.
In the vast majority of cases, yes: the showrunner is first and foremost a writer capable of directing other writers. Some, however, come from production or directing.