In September 2012,
Friends with Better Lives first appeared as part of the
CBS development slate. On January 22, 2013, CBS placed a pilot order. The pilot was written by Dana Klein and directed by
James Burrows. Casting announcements began in February 2013, with
James Van Der Beek first cast in the role of Will Stokes, a gynecologist who returns to the bachelor life after learning of his wife's infidelity.
Brooklyn Decker was the next actor cast, in the series regular role of Jules Talley, a former model and aspiring actress who recently became engaged to Lowell.
Rick Donald then joined the series as Lowell Peddit, a spiritual, self-righteous environmentalist who is recently engaged to Jules. Shortly after,
Kevin Connolly and
Majandra Delfino signed onto the series regular roles of Bobby and Andi Lutz, a happily married couple with two kids, who miss their young partying days.
Zoe Lister-Jones was the last actor cast in the series regular role of Kate McLean, the Chief Operating Officer of a thriving social media company who doesn't have the best of luck when it comes to dating. On May 12, 2013, CBS placed a series order on
Friends with Better Lives to premiere as part of the
2013–14 American television season. ==Episodes==