Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, screenwriters of the first two live-action Transformers films, developed the series partly because they felt limited in how much screen time and character depth the Transformers could get in the movies and wanted to explore their mythology and past more deeply.

Ironhide was originally planned to be part of the initial Autobot lineup but was replaced by Bulkhead, likely because their characterizations were too similar.

Writer Jeff Kline said the team created a story bible with at least three years' worth of storylines from the beginning, with 'the universal need to find or forge a family and a home' as a major theme.

Roberto Orci said he regretted killing off Arcee in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and Transformers: Prime gave the writers a chance to finally do what they had always wanted with her character.

Jeffrey Combs was the first actor cast, announcing on his personal website in February 2010 that he would voice Ratchet.

Peter Cullen and Frank Welker reprised their original series roles as Optimus Prime and Megatron, with Hasbro Studios placing high importance on securing both actors.

Adam Baldwin, the voice of Breakdown, said his character was killed off and he was let go from the show due to budget cuts.

Composer Brian Tyler wanted the score to be 'cinematic, thematic' and feature classic scores similar to Star Wars, and used live orchestras to record the music.