The show's pilot was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Alexander Payne, who also served as an executive producer on the series.

The script by Colette Burson and Dmitry Lipkin was the first major purchase made by HBO's new entertainment president Sue Naegle after she took the role in April 2008.

After buying the pilot script, HBO had the writers immediately produce five more episodes, bringing the first season to a full order of 10 episodes.

Much of the series was filmed on location in the Detroit suburbs of Royal Oak, Hamtramck, White Lake, Troy, Walled Lake, Clarkston, and West Bloomfield, Michigan.

From 2010 to 2011, production moved to Stage 7 at Paramount Studios.

The show's theme song is 'I'll Be Your Man' by The Black Keys, taken from their 2002 debut album The Big Come Up.

Thomas Jane received three consecutive Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series for his portrayal of Ray Drecker (2010, 2011, 2012).

Cinematographer Uta Briesewitz received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for a Half-Hour Series for the pilot episode.