They were once just a name on the credits roll, but showrunners have gained celebrity status over the past decade and are now considered the major creative force behind every television drama.

This DQ show examines the showrunner’s rise to power and why it can be one of the most satisfying jobs in Hollywood.

In the first of a two-part programme, DQ hears from leading showrunners about the challenges of this all-consuming position.

Contributors include Shawn Ryan (The Shield), Terence Winter (Boardwalk Empire), Ilene Chaiken (Empire), Glen Mazzara (The Walking Dead), Clyde Phillips (Dexter), Eric Newman (Narcos), Terri Miller and Andrew Marlowe (Castle), Maggie Friedman and Corinne Brinkerhoff (No Tomorrow), Jon Bokenkamp (The Blacklist), Les Bohem (Shut Eye), Michelle Ashford (Masters of Sex), Graham Yost (Sneaky Pete), Howard Gordon (Homeland), Matt Miller (Lethal Weapon), Peter Lenkov (MacGyver), Oliver Goldstick (The Collection) and Carol Flint (Designated Survivor).

Part two will be available from Wednesday March 29.

tagged in: Andrew Marlowe, Boardwalk Empire, Carol Flint, Castle, Clyde Phillips, Corinne Brinkerhoff, Designated Survivor, Dexter, Empire, Eric Newman, Glen Mazzara, Graham Yost, Homeland, Howard Gordon, Ilene Chaiken, Jon Bokenkamp, Les Bohem, Lethal Weapon, MacGyver, Maggie Friedma, Masters of Sex, Matt Miller, Michelle Ashford, Narcos, No Tomorrow, Oliver Goldstick, Peter Lenkov, Shawn Ryan, Shut Eye, Sneaky Pete, Terence Winter, Terri Miller, The Blacklist, The Collection, The Shield, The Walking Dead