coshowrun

Coshowrun is a term that refers to the practice of two or more individuals sharing the role of showrunner for a television series. This collaborative approach to leadership in television production emerged as a response to the increasing complexity and demanding workload associated with managing a successful show. In a traditional model, a single showrunner is responsible for all creative and managerial aspects of a series, from writing and editing to overseeing production and post-production.

When a showrunner position is shared, the responsibilities are typically divided between the co-showrunners. This division can be based on creative tasks, production oversight, or a combination of both. For example, one co-showrunner might focus more on the writing room and script development, while the other handles the day-to-day operations on set and manages the budget. The exact division of labor is usually tailored to the strengths and expertise of the individuals involved.

The concept of co-showrunning gained prominence as shows became more serialized and required a deeper level of creative engagement over longer periods. It allows for a potential reduction in burnout for individual showrunners and can bring diverse perspectives to the creative process. However, it also necessitates strong communication, trust, and a shared vision between the co-showrunners to ensure the cohesive direction of the series. While not as common as single showrunner roles, co-showrunning has been successfully implemented on several notable television programs.