The series is based on Laura Dave's 2021 novel of the same name, which was optioned by Hello Sunshine and Red Om Films ahead of its May 4, 2021 release.

The project was shopped to the marketplace by Hello Sunshine, Red Om Films and 20th Television, leading to a highly competitive bidding war that Apple ultimately won with a straight-to-series order.

Laura Dave, the novel's author, co-wrote the adapted screenplay with her husband, Josh Singer.

Julia Roberts was originally announced in January 2021 to star in the lead role, but she was replaced by Jennifer Garner as star and producer in November 2021.

Angourie Rice joined the cast in April 2022, followed by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Aisha Tyler, Geoff Stults, John Harlan Kim and Augusto Aguilera in May 2022.

Filming began on May 3, 2022, with location shooting taking place at the houseboat community of Waldo Point Harbor in Sausalito, California, as well as in downtown Sausalito and the Marin Headlands, plus Los Angeles and Austin, Texas.

The first season received a 41% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 34 critic reviews and a Metacritic score of 49/100, indicating mixed reviews, though it reached 4.5 million unique viewers in its first 31 days of streaming.

The second season, which premiered February 20, 2026, saw an improved reception with a 56% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 9 critic reviews.