The project originated after Nickelodeon licensed the original Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra to Netflix in 2020, which caused a surge in popularity that convinced Nickelodeon to rekindle its relationship with creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.

DiMartino and Konietzko had previously departed Netflix's live-action Avatar remake in June 2020 due to creative differences before returning to develop new projects with Nickelodeon.

In February 2021, ViacomCBS announced the creation of Avatar Studios, a Nickelodeon division dedicated to new projects in the Avatar universe, with DiMartino and Konietzko serving as co-chief creative officers.

The series' existence was first revealed through internet leaks in late 2024 via Knight Edge Media, which also leaked plot details describing 9-year-old twin earthbender sisters, one of whom is the Avatar.

The show was officially announced in February 2025 under the title Avatar: Seven Havens, timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender series.

According to DiMartino and Konietzko, the series' art direction draws influence from French surrealist artist Jean Giraud (Moebius) and 1990s anime.

Animation for the series is being produced by La Chouette Compagnie, a French animation studio.

Composer Jeremy Zuckerman returns to score the series, having previously scored both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra alongside Benjamin Wynn.

The series was moved up to premiere on Paramount+ on October 9, 2026, instead of its originally planned 2027 Nickelodeon broadcast, matching the date originally scheduled for the Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender film release.