The series is adapted by Andrew Davies from an unfinished manuscript by Jane Austen, who had completed only 24,000 words (eleven chapters and part of a twelfth) at the time of her death in 1817. Because the novel was incomplete, only the first episode closely follows Austen's original text, after which Davies invented the rest of the story using her characters.

Many scenes were filmed in Somerset, including the seaside towns of Clevedon, Brean and Weston-super-Mare, with Dyrham Park near Bath used as the location for Sanditon House.

The bridge at Iford Manor was used for a scene in the first episode, while most interior filming took place on sets built at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol.

ITV cancelled the series in December 2019 before its US premiere, but a fan-led fundraising campaign supported by Masterpiece (PBS) helped secure its continuation for further series.

Three main actors from the first series, Theo James, Mark Stanley, and Leo Suter, did not return for series two as they had moved on to new projects, prompting the introduction of new cast members alongside returning lead Rose Williams.

The series received mixed reviews on Rotten Tomatoes at first but improved dramatically to earn a 100% Fresh rating for its third season.

Some UK media outlets reported that viewers were shocked by the depictions of sex and nudity in the opening episode, considering it untrue to the works of Jane Austen.