Eight episodes of a cooking competition, four edit suites running at once, and episode three is two minutes too long. The series producer watches the cut, decides which contestant's story can lose a scene, and checks with the production manager whether the extra grading day still fits. Then on to episode four. The series producer is the person who makes sure a whole series gets made, one episode after the other, at the same standard.
What a series producer does
The series producer is the senior editorial lead on a series, mainly in factual, entertainment and reality television. They work for the executive producer at the production company, or inside a broadcaster that makes its own programmes. They usually join once the commission is confirmed, sometimes earlier to help shape the format.
They hire and lead the editorial team of producers, directors, story producers and researchers. They set the style of the series, sign off on running orders and scripts, and review every cut. The production manager handles the logistics, but the series producer decides what goes on screen and makes sure the episodes reach the broadcaster on time.
Responsibilities
- Turn the format or idea into a workable series plan
- Hire and lead the editorial team
- Approve scripts, running orders and shooting plans
- Watch and give notes on every edit, and sign off the final versions
- Deal with notes from the broadcaster and the commissioning editor
- Keep the series on schedule across all episodes
- Make sure the content meets the broadcaster's compliance rules
How the role touches the budget
The series producer usually works within a budget set by the executive producer and the production manager. They do not keep the accounts, but their decisions drive the costs. More shoot days, longer edits or extra contributors all cost money. They agree the edit schedule and crew plan with the production manager and watch the weekly cost report for overspends in the edit, which is where most factual series run over.
How people become series producers
The usual route runs through factual television. People start as a runner or researcher, become an assistant producer, then a producer or director, and later lead a whole series. Experience in the edit is important, because much of the job happens there.
At a broadcaster
At a broadcaster that makes its own programmes, the series producer does the same job inside the channel. They report to an editor or head of department instead of a production company, and work with in-house crews and facilities. In drama the title is less common, and the work is shared between the producer and the showrunner.