The series is loosely inspired by the homonymous novel by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini and is the second adaptation of the work following the 2015 film directed by Stefano Sollima, from which it takes some characters and their respective actors.

Suburra - The series was the first original Italian series distributed by Netflix, developed by Daniele Cesarano, Barbara Petronio, Ezio Abbate and Fabrizio Bettelli.

In the first two seasons the series was conceived as a prequel to the 2015 film, but in the third season it changed direction, becoming a divergent and separate adaptation, following Rai Fiction's withdrawal from the project.

The plot is inspired by real events from the Mafia Capitale investigation, and the character of Samurai is loosely inspired by Massimo Carminati, a former Italian criminal and former terrorist.

The first two episodes of the first season were presented in world premiere on September 1, 2017 at the 74th Venice Film Festival, in the Il Cinema nel Giardino section.

The production of the second season, comprising eight episodes, began on April 3, 2018 and concluded on August 8 of the same year.

The first season obtained an approval rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 8 out of 10, and was compared by several critics to Narcos, Netflix's successful international series.

Suburra - The series is known for being the first Italian television series to feature an openly gay Romani mafia character, Spadino Anacleti, played by Giacomo Ferrara.