The series is based on Walter Mosley's 2010 novel of the same name, and Mosley himself adapted his book into the screenplay as well as created the show for Apple TV+.

Samuel L. Jackson was set to star in and executive produce the series when it was announced in December 2020.

Dominique Fishback joined the cast in March 2021, followed by Walton Goggins, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Damon Gupton, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, and Omar Benson Miller in April 2021.

Production began in April 2021 and filming wrapped on June 26, 2021.

The six episodes were directed by four different filmmakers: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, and Guillermo Navarro.

Craig DeLeon composed the score for the limited series.

The miniseries won four of its seven Black Reel Award nominations, including Outstanding Television Movie or Limited Series, and received six NAACP Image Award nominations.

Rotten Tomatoes gave the series a 90% approval rating, praising Samuel L. Jackson and Dominique Fishback's performances as making it 'an unmissable elegy' despite the final stretch losing some luster.