The series was originally announced in 2021 as a reboot created by and starring Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, with Francesca Sloane as co-creator and showrunner, intended to premiere on Prime Video in 2022.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge exited the project in September 2021 due to creative differences with Donald Glover, and Maya Erskine was announced in April 2022 to take over her role.

Donald Glover's real-life mother, Beverly Glover, makes her acting debut in the series playing Denise, John Smith's mother.

The first season was filmed in New York and Italy, while filming for the second season took place in Los Angeles, partly to preserve a California tax credit for relocating production.

Production of the second season was postponed in September 2025 due to cast issues, during which showrunner Francesca Sloane's overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios ended and Anna Ouyang Moench was hired to replace her as showrunner.

Sophie Thatcher was announced for season two in February 2025 but was later replaced by Talia Ryder after having to leave due to scheduling conflicts with the final season of Yellowjackets.

The show was promoted through a series of guerrilla marketing stunts in January 2024, including a staged shoe theft at an art exhibit, two people in furry costumes sitting next to Tyra Banks at a basketball game, and unknown people rushing the stage during a comedy show featuring Mark Normand.

The series became one of Prime Video's top five new series debuts ever in terms of total U.S. viewers, and it received 16 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for its first season, including Outstanding Drama Series.