Best writers/showrunners in television
by air-man77 | created - 24 Sep 2012 | updated - 9 months ago | PublicNo particular order.. but they so damn good
1. Chris Carter
Writer | The X Files
Born and raised in Bellflower, California, Chris Carter graduated from the California State University at Long Beach with a degree in journalism. Formerly a freelance journalist and editor of "Surfing" magazine, Carter began his career as a screenwriter in 1985 at The Walt Disney Studios. In 1992 ...
The creator of "The X-Files" and "Millennium".
2. Joss Whedon
Producer | Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Joss Whedon is the middle of five brothers - his younger brothers are Jed Whedon and Zack Whedon. Both his father, Tom Whedon and his grandfather, John Whedon were successful television writers. Joss' mother, Lee Stearns, was a history teacher and she also wrote novels as Lee Whedon. Whedon was ...
The creator of "Buffy the vampire slayer", "Angel", "Firefly", "Dollhouse", "Agents of Shield" and "The Nevers".
3. David Simon
Writer | The Wire
David Simon was born on May 13, 1960 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for The Wire (2002), Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) and The Corner (2000). He has been married to Laura Lippman since October 3, 2006. They have one child.
The Creator of "The Corner", "The Wire" and “The Deuce“.
4. Shawn Ryan
Producer | The Shield
Shawn Ryan was born on October 11, 1966 in Rockford, Illinois, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for The Shield (2002), S.W.A.T. (2017) and Timeless (2016). He has been married to Cathy Cahlin Ryan since April 25, 1998. They have two children.
The creator of "The Shield", "Timeless", “S.W.A.T." and “The Night Agent“
5. Rob Thomas
Producer | Veronica Mars
Rob Thomas was born on August 15, 1965 in Sunnyside, Washington, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Veronica Mars (2004), iZombie (2015) and Veronica Mars (2014).
The creator of "Veronica Mars", “Party Down“ and "iZombie".
6. J.J. Abrams
Producer | Lost
Jeffrey Jacob Abrams was born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles, the son of TV producer parents. At 15, he wrote the music for Don Dohler's Nightbeast (1982). In his senior year of college, he and Jill Mazursky teamed up to write a feature film, which became Taking Care of Business (1990)....
The creator of "Alias", "Lost" and "Fringe".
7. David Shore
Producer | House M.D.
David Shore has written for cult favorite Due South, NYPD Blue and EZ Streets, served as head writer and supervising producer on Traders, which he developed for Canadian television, and was part of the writing team of the Emmy Award-winning first season of The Practice. He was twice nominated for ...
The creator of "House M.D", "Sneaky Pete" and "Battle Creek“.
8. Damon Lindelof
Producer | Lost
Damon Lindelof was born on April 24, 1973 in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Lost (2004), The Leftovers (2014) and Watchmen (2019). He has been married to Heidi Fugeman since May 28, 2005. They have one child.
The creator of "Lost", "The Leftovers" and "Watchmen".
9. Eric Kripke
Writer | The Boys
Eric Kripke is an American writer and television producer. He came to prominence as the creator of The CW fantasy drama series Supernatural (2005-2020), where he served as show-runner during the first five seasons. Kripke also created the post-apocalyptic drama series Revolution (2012-2014) and ...
The creator of "Supernatural", "Revolution", "Timeless" and "The Boys".
10. Shaun Cassidy
Producer | American Gothic
Shaun Cassidy is an American singer, actor, writer and producer. He has created and/or produced a number of television series including "American Gothic" (produced with Sam Raimi), "Roar" (starring a then unknown Heath Ledger), "Cold Case," "Cover Me," "The Agency," "Invasion," and "Emerald City." ...
The creator of "American Gothic" and "Invasion". Co-showrunner of "New Amsterdam".
11. Vince Gilligan
Producer | The X Files
George Vincent Gilligan Jr. (born February 10, 1967) is an American writer, producer, and director. He is known for his television work, specifically as creator, head writer, executive producer, and director of Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul. He was a writer and producer for The ...
The creator of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul".
12. Kurt Sutter
Producer | Sons of Anarchy
Raised in the shadow of Rahway prison, Sutter spent most of his New Jersey childhood indoors, away from people, three feet from a TV screen. That's where he learned the essentials of storytelling and the comic significance of anvils.
After graduating from Rutgers University with a BA in Film, Kurt ...
The creator of "Sons of Anarchy" and "Mayans MC".
13. Dan Harmon
Writer | Rick and Morty
Dan Harmon was born on January 3, 1973 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. He is best known as the creator, writing, and producer for Community (2009) and Rick and Morty (2013). He also is known for writing and producing earlier works such as Computerman (2003), and Laser Fart (2004). He was previously ...
The creator of "Community" and "Rick and Morty".
14. Graham Yost
Producer | Justified
Graham Yost was born on September 5, 1959 in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. He is a producer and writer, known for Justified (2010), From the Earth to the Moon (1998) and Speed (1994).
The creator of "Boomtown" and "Justified". The showrunner of "Sneaky Pete".
15. Frank Darabont
Writer | The Shawshank Redemption
Three-time Oscar nominee Frank Darabont was born in a refugee camp in 1959 in Montbeliard, France, the son of Hungarian parents who had fled Budapest during the failed 1956 Hungarian revolution. Brought to America as an infant, he settled with his family in Los Angeles and attended Hollywood High ...
The creator of "The Walking Dead" and "Mob City".
16. Adam F. Goldberg
Producer | The Goldbergs
Adam F. Goldberg was born on April 2, 1976 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for The Goldbergs (2013), The Muppets Mayhem (2023) and Fanboys (2009).
The creator of "Breaking In" and “The Goldbergs".
17. Jonathan Nolan
Writer | Westworld
Attended Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois, graduating in 1994.
Graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in 1999. Majored in English.
Shortly after graduating from Georgetown University, Jonathan Nolan served as a production assistant on Memento (2000).
Wrote the short story, "...
The creator of "Person of Interest" and "Westworld".
18. Kyle Killen
Writer | The Beaver
Kyle Killen is known for The Beaver (2011), Halo (2022) and Mind Games (2014).
The Creator of "Awake" and "Mind Games".
19. Kevin Williamson
Writer | Scream
As a child Williamson was a fond fan of movies, especially those of Steven Spielberg. After high school, Williamson went to college for a future in acting. Though he landed very small parts on T.V. shows and movies, nothing had happened. Williamson moved out to L.A in 1990 in hopes it would aid his...
The Creator of "The Vampire Diaries", "The Following", "Stalker" and "Time After Time".
20. Rockne S. O'Bannon
Writer | Farscape
Rockne S. O'Bannon was born in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Farscape (1999), Alien Nation and Evil (2019).
The creator of "Farscape" and "Cult".
21. Carlton Cuse
Producer | Lost
Born in Mexico City, Cuse grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, and in Orange County, California. He attended Harvard University, graduating with a degree in American History.
Cuse, along with Damon Lindelof, served as writer and showrunner for all six seasons of Lost (2004) for ABC. He wrote, directed,...
Co-Creator of "Bates Motel", "The Returned" and "Colony". Also showrunner of "The Strain".
22. Bryan Fuller
Writer | Pushing Daisies
Self professed Star Trek geek who watched and loved the Trek series "Deep Space Nine" and set out to write for them. At the time, Star Trek had an open script submission policy and Fuller contributed a spec, leading to a pitching opportunity. When he had sold a couple of stories to Deep Space Nine,...
The creator of "Dead Like Me", "Hannibal" and "American Gods".
23. J.H. Wyman
Producer | Fringe
J.H. Wyman was born in Oakland, California, USA. He is a producer and director, known for Fringe (2008), Almost Human (2013) and Debris (2021).
The creator of "Almost Human". Co-Showrunner of "Fringe".
24. Kevin Biegel
Writer | Cougar Town
Kevin Biegel is known for Cougar Town (2009), New Warriors (2017) and Scrubs (2001).
The creator of "Enlisted".
25. Noah Hawley
Writer | Fargo
Award-winning Noah Hawley is one of the most accomplished auteurs and versatile storytellers working in television, film and literature. Hawley balances the art of telling cinematic, unforgettable character-driven stories that linger along after you've been immersed in them.
Over the course of his ...
The creator of "Fargo" and "Legion".
26. John Logan
Writer | Skyfall
John Logan was a playwright in Chicago for ten years before writing, on spec, his first screenplay, "Any Given Sunday." He won the 2010 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle awards for his play RED, which premiered at the Donmar Warehouse in London and the Golden Theatre on ...
The creator of "Penny Dreadful".
27. Courtney A. Kemp
Producer | Power Book II: Ghost
Courtney A. Kemp was born on May 4, 1977 in Westport, Connecticut, USA. She is a producer and writer, known for Power Book II: Ghost (2020), The Good Wife (2009) and Power (2014).
The creator of "Power".
28. Sam Esmail
Producer | Mr. Robot
Sam Esmail was born on September 17, 1977 in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Mr. Robot (2015), Homecoming (2018) and Leave the World Behind (2023). He has been married to Emmy Rossum since May 28, 2017. They have two children.
The creator of "Mr. Robot".
29. Howard Gordon
Producer | 24
Howard Gordon was born on March 31, 1961 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for 24 (2001), Homeland (2011) and The X-Files (1993).
30. Taylor Sheridan
Writer | Hell or High Water
Taylor Sheridan is an American actor, screenwriter and director. He is best known for writing the screenplay for 'Sicario' (2015) and 'Hell or high water' (2016), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
He also starred in the FX television series 'Sons of ...
The creator of “Yellowstone“, “Tulsa King“ and “Lioness“
31. Donald Glover
Actor | Solo: A Star Wars Story
The multi-talented Donald Glover is a writer, actor, musician, comedian, producer and director, who performs under the stage names Childish Gambino and mcDJ. He was born Donald McKinley Glover at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and was raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia. His mother, Beverly (...
The creator of “Atlanta“ and “Swarm“
32. Rian Johnson
Producer | Knives Out
Rian Johnson was born in Maryland and at a young age his family moved to San Clemente, California, where he was raised. After graduating from high school, he went on to attend the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. His first feature film, Brick (2005), was released in 2005 ...
33. Craig Mazin
Writer | Chernobyl
Craig Mazin was born on April 8, 1971 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Chernobyl (2019), The Last of Us (2023) and Mythic Quest (2020).
34. Mike Flanagan
Writer | The Fall of the House of Usher
Mike Flanagan is a prolific writer, director, and editor. He entered into an exclusive overall deal with Amazon Studios in 2023 for television projects (after a similar exclusive deal with Netflix from 2018-2022), and has made feature films for Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Netflix and more. ...
35. Ryan J. Condal
Producer | House of the Dragon
Ryan J. Condal is known for House of the Dragon (2022), Rampage (2018) and Colony (2016).
36. Issa Rae
Producer | Insecure
Jo-Issa Rae Diop credited professionally as Issa Rae, is an American actress, writer, producer, and comedian. Rae first garnered attention for her work on the YouTube web series Awkward Black Girl. Since 2011, Rae has continued to develop her YouTube channel, which features various short films, web...
The creator of “Insecure“ and “Rap Shit“
37. James Gunn
Writer | Guardians of the Galaxy
James Gunn was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, to Leota and James Francis Gunn. He is from a large Catholic family, with Irish and Czech ancestry. His father and his uncles were all lawyers. He has been writing and performing as long as he can remember. He began making 8mm films at the age ...
The creator of “Peacemaker“.
38. Dan Erickson
Producer | Severance
Dan Erickson is known for Severance (2022) and Chambers (2019).
39. Reggie Rock Bythewood
Producer | Dancing in September
After attending the Million Man March, Bythewood wrote the screenplay for Spike Lee's indie film, "Get On The Bus." Bythewood was also one of the film's investors. Bythewood did the rewrites for the Fox Searchlight film, "Notorious" and was awarded first-position written by credit along with the ...
40. Elwood Reid
Producer | The Chi
Elwood Reid is known for The Chi (2018), The Bridge (2013) and Barkskins (2020). He is married to Nina Reid. They have five children.
41. Misha Green
Writer | Lovecraft Country
Misha Green was born on September 22, 1984 in Sacramento, California, USA. She is a writer and producer, known for Lovecraft Country (2020), The Mother (2023) and Underground (2016).
42. Robert King
Writer | The Good Wife
Robert King was born on December 10, 1959 in the USA. He is a writer and producer, known for The Good Wife (2009), Evil (2019) and The Good Fight (2017). He is married to Michelle King.
43. Michelle King
Writer | The Good Wife
Michelle King was born on May 11, 1962 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is a writer and producer, known for The Good Wife (2009), Evil (2019) and The Good Fight (2017). She is married to Robert King.
44. Kenya Barris
Writer | Black·ish
Kenya Barris was born on August 9, 1974 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Black-ish (2014), #BlackAF (2020) and You People (2023). He has been married to Rainbow Barris since December 3, 1999. They have six children.
45. Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Actress | Solo: A Star Wars Story
Phoebe Mary Waller-Bridge is an English actress, producer, and writer. She created, wrote, and starred in the Channel 4 sitcom Crashing (2016) and the BBC comedy-drama series Fleabag (2016-2019). She was also the show-runner and executive producer for the first series of the BBC America thriller ...
The creator of “Fleabag“.
46. Nick Santora
Producer | Most Dangerous Game
Nick Santora is known for Most Dangerous Game (2020), Prison Break (2005) and Scorpion (2014).
47. Ava DuVernay
Writer | Queen Sugar
A director, producer, writer, marketer and film distributor, Ava DuVernay made her feature film debut with the documentary This is the Life (2008), a history on hip hop movement that flourished in Los Angeles in the 1990's. This was followed by series of television music documentaries which ...
48. Jonathan Tropper
Writer | Banshee
Jonathan Tropper was born on February 19, 1970 in Riverdale, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Banshee (2013), The Adam Project (2022) and This Is Where I Leave You (2014). He has been married to Stephanie Abram since November 13, 2016. They have one child....
49. Lena Waithe
Producer | Master of None
Lena Waithe was born on May 17, 1984 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She is a producer and writer, known for Master of None (2015), Ready Player One (2018) and Queen & Slim (2019). She has been married to Alana Mayo since November 2019.
50. Dan Fogelman
Writer | This Is Us
Dan Fogelman was born on February 19, 1976 in River Vale, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for This Is Us (2016), Life Itself (2018) and Tangled (2010). He has been married to Caitlin Thompson since June 13, 2015. They have one child.
51. Bill Hader
Actor | The Skeleton Twins
Bill Hader is an American comedian and actor who is known for playing in Saturday Night Live from 2005 to 2013. He created and starred in the HBO show Barry. He also played Flint Lockwood from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Colonel Custer from Night at the Museum 2, Fear from Inside Out and ...
The creator of “Barry“
52. Michael Schur
Producer | The Good Place
Michael Schur was born on October 29, 1975 in West Hartford, Connecticut, USA as Michael Herbert Schur. He is a TV series creator, a writer, and producer known for series such as The Office (2005), Parks and Recreation (2009), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) and The Good Place (2016). He has been married...
53. Justin Simien
Writer | Dear White People
Justin Simien is known for Dear White People (2014), Dear White People (2017) and Bad Hair (2020).
54. Matt Duffer
Writer | Stranger Things
Matt Duffer of The Duffer Brothers, born in Durham, February 15, 1984, is a writer, producer, and director for film and television. He is most known as the creator and showrunner of the hit Netflix Sci-Fi TV series Stranger Things. Other works include the thriller film Hidden and he has written ...
55. Ross Duffer
Writer | Stranger Things
Ross Duffer is known for Stranger Things (2016), We All Fall Down (2005) and Wayward Pines (2015). He has been married to Leigh Janiak since December 22, 2015.
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