Best case scenario, a showrunner just makes sure everyone stays in sync. They read through scripts to make sure the characters are consistent, art concepts to make sure that everything fits the desired style and tone, and coordinate with writers to ensure that season-long plot threads don’t get left dangling.
Worst case scenario, they have CEO brain, and are constantly shooting down cool ideas and pushing the production towards the bland focus grouped middle ground. Sometimes a showrunner wants to be the first type, but they are forced by producers and other stakeholders into being the second type.
Best case scenario, a showrunner just makes sure everyone stays in sync. They read through scripts to make sure the characters are consistent, art concepts to make sure that everything fits the desired style and tone, and coordinate with writers to ensure that season-long plot threads don’t get left dangling.
Worst case scenario, they have CEO brain, and are constantly shooting down cool ideas and pushing the production towards the bland focus grouped middle ground. Sometimes a showrunner wants to be the first type, but they are forced by producers and other stakeholders into being the second type.