Poker Face was created by Rian Johnson as a case-of-the-week murder mystery, explicitly inspired by Columbo and its 'howcatchem' inverted detective story format, where the audience knows the killer's identity from the start.

Johnson also cited Magnum, P.I., The Rockford Files, Quantum Leap, Highway to Heaven and The Incredible Hulk as tonal influences, wanting each episode to be an anthropological deep dive into a corner of America rarely seen on TV.

Natasha Lyonne was attached to the project from its announcement, with Rian Johnson approaching her directly about a procedural project, saying the role of Charlie Cale was 'completely cut to measure for her.'

Unlike Columbo, the writers deliberately made lead character Charlie Cale work outside the law to differentiate her from Peter Falk's classic detective.

Inspired by the roster of guest stars who appeared on Columbo, Johnson decided to treat each guest star as the star of their episode, which helped attract a large number of notable actors to the show.

Benjamin Bratt's character Cliff was originally conceived as a recurring role rather than a one-off guest part, serving as a pursuing casino security chief that Bratt described as 'a ticking clock for the show.'

Season one filming was based in Newburgh, New York, running from April to October 2022 across the mid-Hudson Valley, with at least one episode shot in Albuquerque, New Mexico in late August 2022.

Outdoor casino scenes for season one were filmed in Laughlin, Nevada in September 2022, using the real Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino to depict the fictional Frost Casino.

Following its cancellation by Peacock in November 2025 after two seasons, Rian Johnson began pitching the show to other networks for a two-season commitment, with plans for Peter Dinklage to take over the lead role from Natasha Lyonne.