Offspring was originally conceived as a two-hour telemovie for Network Ten, but was expanded into a 13-episode series after television executives were impressed by the quality of the telemovie.

The series was written by Debra Oswald, with John Edwards and Imogen Banks producing through Southern Star Entertainment.

Offspring was filmed in Melbourne's inner north, particularly around the suburb of Fitzroy.

Shortly after the fifth series finale aired in October 2014, producer John Edwards confirmed the show would not return for a sixth series due to Network Ten's cost-cutting measures in its production division, though it was later revived, with the sixth series shooting from April to June 2016.

A companion web series titled Offspring: The Nurses launched in 2010 on the official Offspring website, following hospital nurses Kim and Zara, with some cast members from the main series also appearing.

A second web series continued the nurses' story, featuring Zara alongside new character Nurse Tyra, with guest appearances by Richard Davies and Lachy Hulme.

The show was broadcast internationally under different titles, including 'Descubriendo a Nina' in Spain and 'Descobrindo Nina' in Portugal, and became available on Netflix in the United States and United Kingdom in 2017.

John Edwards, who produced Offspring, was also behind other notable Australian series such as Police Rescue, The Secret Life of Us, Love My Way, and Rush, several of which were also co-produced with Imogen Banks.