TV shows often evolve over time, and behind the scenes, one of the major contributors to these changes is the showrunner. A showrunner is the person responsible for overseeing the production of a TV series, from the writing to the final edit. However, what happens when a showrunner leaves, and another takes over? Often, the tone, storylines, and overall direction of the show can drastically shift, leading to a noticeable difference in the viewing experience. In this article, we will explore several TV shows that experienced multiple showrunner changes and how these transitions impacted the series.
Law & Order: Organized Crime: A Spinoff in Turmoil
“Law & Order: Organized Crime,” a spinoff from the long-running “Law & Order: SVU,” has been marred by significant behind-the-scenes turmoil, particularly with its showrunners. Premiering in 2021, the show, starring Christopher Meloni as Elliot Stabler, has had a rocky start with multiple showrunner exits.
The initial showrunner was Matt Olmstead, who left after just one season. Ilene Chaiken replaced him, but her tenure was brief, lasting only one season before Barry O’Brien took over. The series continued to switch showrunners, with Bryan Goluboff, Sean Jablonski, and David Graziano stepping in, but the series struggled to find a stable voice.
By the time the show was renewed for its fifth season and moved to Peacock, it had seen a staggering seven different showrunners, though no official reason was given for the frequent changes. These transitions left many fans questioning the consistency of the series’ narrative and character development.
The Handmaid’s Tale: A Shift Before the Final Season
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” a groundbreaking series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, became a cultural phenomenon under the leadership of Bruce Miller. Miller served as the showrunner throughout most of the series’ run, from its debut in 2017 until the sixth and final season. However, in a surprising move, Miller stepped down from his role as showrunner ahead of the final season, while remaining on the show as an executive producer and writer.
The creative reins were handed over to Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang, both of whom had been involved in the series as executive producers. Miller explained his decision in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, stating that the series was concluding on his own creative terms. This shift raised questions about the future direction of the series and how it would wrap up its complex narrative.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (Live-Action Remake): A Shifting Vision
Netflix’s live-action remake of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” faced its own showrunner drama before it even aired. Initially, the original animated series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko were hired as showrunners. However, in 2020, both departed the project due to creative differences with Netflix, leaving many fans wondering how the series would turn out.
Albert Kim took over the role of showrunner after their exit, but even he didn’t last long. As the show was renewed, Christine Boylan and Jabbar Raisani were brought on to serve as co-showrunners for the second and third seasons. This frequent change in leadership has raised concerns about the show’s ability to deliver a faithful adaptation of the beloved animated series.
Call Me Kat: A Comedy of Showrunner Shifts
The Fox sitcom “Call Me Kat,” starring Mayim Bialik, also experienced showrunner instability. Darlene Hunt initially served as the showrunner, but after the first season, she was replaced by Alissa Neubauer. The revolving door continued with Jim Patterson and Maria Ferrari taking over for the third season, which would ultimately be the show’s last.
With each new showrunner, “Call Me Kat” struggled to maintain consistency, and the frequent changes likely contributed to the show’s relatively short lifespan.
Designated Survivor: Political Drama Under Constant Change
“Designated Survivor,” the political thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland, had a tumultuous journey behind the scenes. Amy B. Harris was initially set to be the showrunner when the series premiered in 2016. However, she stepped down after the show was officially picked up, and Jon Harmon Feldman took over. By the end of season one, the reins were handed over to Jeff Melvoin, and later Keith Eisner.
The show found new life when Netflix revived it after ABC canceled it. With the revival came Neal Baer, who was named showrunner for the revived season, bringing yet another shift in vision to the series.
The Walking Dead: A Zombie Show with Multiple Showrunner Changes
The post-apocalyptic drama “The Walking Dead” experienced several leadership changes throughout its run, beginning with Frank Darabont, who served as the original showrunner. Darabont left after the first season, leading to Glen Mazzara taking over. Mazzara was replaced by Scott M. Gimple, who became the longest-running showrunner of the series. After Gimple was promoted to Chief Content Officer of the entire “Walking Dead” franchise, Angela Kang took over for the final seasons.
These transitions, especially the change in showrunner early on, resulted in noticeable shifts in the show’s tone, pace, and character arcs, which affected how fans perceived the series.
Gilmore Girls: Behind the Scenes Drama and Departures
“Gilmore Girls,” the beloved dramedy created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, had its own share of showrunner drama. Sherman-Palladino and her husband, Daniel Palladino, were at the helm for the first six seasons, but contract negotiations caused them to leave before the seventh and final season. David Rosenthal was brought on as the new showrunner, but the change was felt by viewers, and many criticized the final season for losing the magic that made the show so beloved.
In 2016, Sherman-Palladino returned for a four-part revival, “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” proving that sometimes, the return of a show’s original creative voice can revive its magic.
Grey’s Anatomy: A Long-Running Show with Many Changes
“Grey’s Anatomy,” one of television’s longest-running shows, has experienced numerous showrunner changes. Created by Shonda Rhimes, she served as the head honcho until 2011 when Krista Vernoff joined her as a co-showrunner. After Rhimes moved on to other projects, Vernoff took full control of the show.
Over the years, the series saw several showrunner shifts, including a period where Stacy Mckee and William Harper held the reins before Vernoff returned. As of recent seasons, Meg Marinis took over as showrunner, continuing the show’s legacy while attempting to evolve the series for a new generation of viewers.
FAQs About TV Shows That Went Through Showrunner Changes
- What does a showrunner do in a TV series? A showrunner is essentially the head writer and executive producer, responsible for overseeing the creative direction of a TV series, including scriptwriting, casting, and overall production.
- How do showrunner changes affect a TV show? Changes in showrunners can lead to shifts in the show’s tone, character arcs, and overall direction. Sometimes, these changes are well-received, while in other cases, they may alienate viewers.
- Why do showrunners leave TV shows? Showrunners may leave due to creative differences, personal reasons, contract disputes, or a desire to pursue other projects.
- Do showrunner changes always result in a decline in quality? Not necessarily. While showrunner changes can affect the show’s tone or storytelling, a new showrunner may bring fresh ideas that rejuvenate the series.
- Which TV shows had the most showrunner changes? “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender” are examples of series that experienced multiple showrunner changes, often resulting in significant shifts in direction.
