The show was cancelled by the BBC in 2009 while the third series was still airing, but the decision was reversed thanks to strong DVD sales and an online petition, leading to a fourth series.

In the original unaired pilot, the role of Kate was played by Catherine Tate, but due to the success of The Catherine Tate Show, American actress Megan Dodds was cast instead and the character was developed accordingly.

Miranda Hart did not return as Barbara for series 4 because she was simultaneously filming the second series of her own sitcom, Miranda.

For the series 6 episode 'Boat', production traveled to the Port of Ramsgate in Kent to film scenes involving Frank's boat trip to Eastbourne.

The 2015 Christmas special was filmed on location in a department store in Wimbledon and was screened in London afterwards to record the laugh track, unlike the usual studio-audience recordings.

Filming locations changed multiple times over the show's run: Teddington Studios, then BBC Television Centre for series 4 and 5, back to Teddington for series 6 and 7, then BBC Elstree Centre for series 8, and Pinewood Studios for series 9 to 14.

The show's theme song is performed by Stephen Triffitt, a Frank Sinatra impersonator.

The flat where Lee and Kate/Lucy lived from 2006 to 2015 was numbered 17, and 'Number 17' was originally considered as a title for the series before 'Not Going Out' was chosen.

Bobby Ball's real-life death in October 2020 was reflected in the show, with his character Frank's death being confirmed at the beginning of the twelfth series.

Not Going Out reached its highest ever audience with the opening episode of series 8, drawing a total of 5.52 million viewers.

The first live episode of the show aired on 21 December, featuring a real knife-throwing act where Lee threw genuine knives at Lucy on a rotating wheel for the finale.