Travelers was created by Brad Wright, and its first two seasons were co-produced by Netflix and the Canadian specialty channel Showcase before Netflix became the sole broadcaster and worldwide distributor from season three onward.

The first season of Travelers received a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on nine reviews with an average rating of 8.0/10, and Netflix listed it as one of its 'most devoured' series in 2017.

Critics praised the show's exploration of identity, with io9's Evan Narcisse describing it as 'a superhero show in double disguise' due to its take on secret identities through the travelers inhabiting their hosts' lives.

Netflix faced backlash for using real footage from the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster in the third season, which many considered inappropriate for fictional content; the footage's provider apologized and the episode was slated to be re-edited.

The show's premiere in Canada took place on October 17, 2016, while its worldwide release on Netflix followed on December 23, 2016, and the final two episodes of season one aired separately on Showcase.

Travelers was cancelled in February 2019, shortly after the release of its third season in December 2018.