Report: Showrunning in Europe

Skills, Tasks, Responsibilities

European Showrunner Programme

Introducing the First Report on Showrunning in Europe

The publication »Showrunning in Europe – Skills, Tasks, Responsibilities« is now available! 

This pioneering study delivers the first comprehensive analysis of the showrunner’s position in European drama series, exploring its skills, tasks, and responsibilities from development to delivery.

Drawing on original research and insights from leading industry professionals, the report maps out the current landscape and uncovers a key finding: a distinct European showrunner model is emerging. Unlike the U.S. approach, collaboration between showrunner and producer stands at its core – offering a blueprint for sustainable, high-quality storytelling in a global market.

The report provides an overview of the current situation and examines strategies for implementing a genuinely European way of showrunning.

Content:

  • Quick Facts about Showrunning
  • Survey: Showrunning in Europe – Tasks and Responsibilities
  • Survey: Key Findings
  • Concept of a European Showrunner Model
  • The Showrunner’s Skillset
  • The Producers’ View – Think Tank Results
  • Showrunning in Europe – Challenges and Measures
  • Showrunners on Showrunning in Europe 

Please download the PDF below.
Enjoy the read and spread the word!

»Showrunning in Europe – Skills, Tasks, Responsibilities«

Imprint

© December 2025 
Published by ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln gGmbH

Suggested citation (APA): 
ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln (2025). Showrunning in Europe - Tasks, Responsibilities, and Skills. Retrieved from: https://www.filmschule.de/de/node/5702

Report Author: Nadja Radojevic | Chief Executive Director, ifs | Director European Showrunner Programme
Report Co-Author: Carolin Große Hellmann | Head of European Showrunner Programme
Editing: Hannah Schorr | Coordinator European Showrunner Programme

Layout: Katrin Imhof

Bravo! A clear overview and explanation of showrunning in Europe was much needed.

Frank Spotnitz

Creator, Writer, and Executive Producer, »The X-Files«, »The Man in the High Castle«, USA/UK

Foto Frank Spotnitz
© Max Colson
This is such a helpful document for formalising the role of showrunners outside of the US.

Emma Frost

Writer, Executive Producer, Showrunner, »The Spanish Princess«, UK

Portraitfoto Emma Frost

Partners

We thank our funders and partners

Funded by

Cooperation Partner

Showrunners on Showrunning in Europe

The following statements are from lecturers and alumni of the European Showrunner Programme.

The showrunner system is a proven system. The fundamental trust in the creative voice was THE central component in the meteoric success of the DR series in the heyday of The Killing, Borgen, etc.

Jeppe Gjervig Gram

Writer »Borgen«, Showrunner »Follow the Money«, Denmark
Head of Programme European Showrunner Programme

Jeppe Gjervig Gram ifs filmschule european showrunner programme
© Heiko Specht
As a showrunner, I am executing on the promise of a series I conceived and wrote, from soup to nuts. This means from the initial idea, through the rewrites in the writers’ room, budget negotiations, daily production, post-production and the promotion of the series as it goes out into the world.

Anna Winger

Writer, Showrunner, Executive Producer, »Transatlantic«, »Unorthodox«, Germany/USA

Anna Winger ifs filmschule köln european showrunner
© Katja Hentschel
If the showrunner is the editorial creative, the curator, then I think, that the producing partner, the non-writing executive producer, is the other half of the equation –
just as important.

Chris Chibnall

Writer, Executive Producer, Showrunner, »Broadchurch«, »Doctor Who«, UK

Chris Chibnall
My job, as a showrunner, is to fight for the content, help everyone to do their best, and make every euro count. The truth? An experienced showrunner gives always back more value than they cost.

Miikko Oikkonen

Writer, Showrunner and Director »Estonia«, »Bordertown«, Finland

Miikko Oikkonen ifs filmschule
© Pekka Lähteenmäki

Contact

Carolin Groẞe Hellmann

Leitung Serial Storytelling
Team
Leitung Weiterbildung Drehbuch
Team
Leitung European Showrunner Programme
Team
Telefonnummer
+49 221 920188261
E-Mail
E-Mail

Hannah Schorr

Koordinatorin European Showrunner Programme
Team
Stellvertretende Gleichstellungsbeauftragte
Team
Telefonnummer
+49 221 920188270
E-Mail
E-Mail

Run the Show

More about the European Showrunner Programme