Development The series, described as a "close-ended series" by the network, was adapted from the novel of the same name by
Petra Hammesfahr; however, the book's darker outlook was toned down and the location shifted from Germany to Upstate New York in the United States. It is the first time that Biel has served as an executive producer on a series, a role she said was "gold". Biel stated that she moved into production so that she could develop projects with challenging and interesting roles rather than wait for them to happen. The series was ordered on January 17, 2017, and the eight episodes were broadcast on
USA Network between August 2 and September 20, 2017. Originally, the series was created as a
miniseries; however, in March 2018, it was announced that
The Sinner would return for a second season. The second season premiered on August 1, 2018, comprised eight episodes and concluded on September 19, 2018. On March 6, 2019, USA Network renewed the series for a third season. which premiered on February 6, 2020. On June 15, 2020, USA renewed the series for a fourth season, which premiered on October 13, 2021. On November 17, 2021, it was reported the fourth season would be its last.
Music The main song featured in the first-season storyline is "Huggin and Kissin" by
Big Black Delta.
Casting In May 2018,
Carrie Coon,
Natalie Paul and
Hannah Gross were cast for the second season as Vera, Heather and Marin respectively. On March 17, 2021,
Alice Kremelberg was cast for the fourth season as Percy Muldoon, a member of a fishing family who faces a tragedy. On April 21, 2021,
Michael Mosley joined the cast as a new series regular for the fourth season. On June 9, 2021, Cindy Cheung, David Huynh, Ronin Wong, and
Neal Huff were cast as series regulars for the fourth season.
Filming locations The series is primarily filmed in New York state; various towns were used in the first season to depict the fictional Dorchester in New York. The exterior of the Mt. Pleasant Justice Court building in
Valhalla, New York, was used for the Dorchester police building. The fictional Beverwyck Club in the first season was filmed at the Belvedere Estate, a private residence surrounded by forest in
Tarrytown, New York. The production used some of the rooms, the basement, the Agora House building, and the wooded area on the property. The county jail scenes were filmed at the former county detention center in
St. George, South Carolina, 30 miles from Summerville. At that time, the first episode was still considered to be the pilot for the series. The hamlet of
Purchase, New York, was used to film "a sizeable chunk" of the second season; one location is the Cobble Stone Restaurant. The Pier 701 Restaurant & Bar in the village of
Piermont, New York, was used for some filming in the first season. Some filming was completed at Prospect Point in
Niagara Falls, New York; Bill Pullman was included in those scenes. In the third season, Dorchester is specified as being "by the
Hudson River in Somerset County". Some filming for the third season was completed at the Hartsdale train station, rebranded as Dorchester. Crews were also filming in summer 2019 at
Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, at the Found Herbal Apothecary Herb shop, and at the Hastings Center Diner. A car chase was shot in
Queens, New York, and scenes set at the fictional Briarton school were shot at the Synod of Bishops Russian Church on East 93rd Street. Other New York City locations included the STK Midtown Steakhouse and the
City College of New York, both in
Manhattan. The fourth season began filming in late April 2021 in
Nova Scotia and wrapped in August 2021. Most of the town and harbor scenes were shot in
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. ==Reception==