Copper was BBC America's first original scripted program, as the network had previously only aired co-productions and shows imported from the United Kingdom.

The series was announced by BBC America during the Television Critics Association (TCA) summer press tour on July 28, 2011, with General Manager Perry Simon calling it a 'great fit' for capturing the early American multicultural experience.

The main cast unveiled in January 2012 came from varied international backgrounds: Tom Weston-Jones and Anastasia Griffith are British, Franka Potente is German, and Kyle Schmid is Canadian, while Kevin Ryan is Irish and Tessa Thompson is American.

Although set in 1860s New York City, filming for the series actually took place in Toronto, beginning in January 2012.

BBC America called Copper its 'highest-rated drama series ever' and subsequently ordered a second season of 13 episodes.

Despite the show's cancellation being announced on September 19, 2013—just three days before the season two finale aired—a feature film continuation was considered, though nothing came of it.

The show's original soundtrack, composed by Brian Keane, was released by Valley Entertainment on May 28, 2013, in both CD and digital formats.