The series is a direct sequel to the original 1973 film The Exorcist and deliberately ignores the various film sequels that followed it.

The show was created and its pilot written by Jeremy Slater, with Fox ordering the pilot to be shot in January 2016.

Geena Davis, Alan Ruck, Hannah Kasulka and Brianne Howey did not return as regular cast members for the second season, while Alfonso Herrera, Kurt Egyiawan and Ben Daniels reprised their roles to oversee a new possession case.

For season two, John Cho, Brianna Hildebrand, Zuleikha Robinson and Li Jun Li joined the cast as new series regulars, with Christopher Cousins and Cyrus Arnold added in recurring roles.

The first season was filmed in Chicago, while filming for the second season moved to Vancouver, beginning in July 2017.

The first season holds a 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 53 reviews, with critics praising its scares and special effects despite falling short of the original film.

The second season was much more warmly received, earning a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 11 reviews, with critics noting a more confident storyline and better handling of its supernatural elements.

Despite the critical improvement in season two, Fox canceled the series in May 2018 after two seasons.