The series was commissioned by Channel 4 in January 2019 as a four-part drama, written and created by Daisy Coulam.

David Tennant and Cush Jumbo were announced as the leads in June 2019, with Matthew McNulty joining the cast as well; Tennant also served as an executive producer on the series.

Filming began in June 2019 in Dunlop, Ayrshire, which doubled for the fictional village of Kirkdarroch.

Additional filming locations included Culzean Country Park, Gateside Place in Kilbarchan, Cumbernauld House Park in Cumbernauld, and Irvine Beach and Low Green Park in Irvine, North Ayrshire.

The series was directed by Lynsey Miller, who is from Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

David Craig of Radio Times gave the first episode four out of five stars, praising Daisy Coulam for elevating the character of Kate Kendrick above the 'disposable woman' trope common in the crime genre.

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian also rated the first episode four out of five, comparing the show favorably to Broadchurch and describing it as 'Broadchurch with freckles'.