History of The Good Place in Timeline

The Good Place, created by Michael Schur, is a fantasy-comedy series that aired on NBC from 2016 to 2020, spanning four seasons and 53 episodes. The show explores philosophical and ethical themes through a narrative centered on Eleanor Shellstrop, who wakes up in the afterlife and is welcomed into 'The Good Place' due to a clerical error. She, along with a group of other flawed individuals, grapples with moral dilemmas and learns about ethics, ultimately challenging the afterlife system itself.

August 13, 2015: Series Order

On August 13, 2015, NBC issued a press release announcing it had given the then-untitled show a 13-episode order based purely on a pitch by Michael Schur.

January 12, 2016: Casting Announcement

On January 12, 2016, Kristen Bell and Ted Danson were announced to have been cast in the lead roles for The Good Place. The first synopsis of the show was also released, stating that it would revolve around Eleanor designing her own self-improvement course with Michael as her guide.

February 11, 2016: William Jackson Harper Cast

On February 11, 2016, William Jackson Harper was cast as Chris, later renamed Chidi, for The Good Place.

February 25, 2016: Jameela Jamil Cast

On February 25, 2016, Jameela Jamil was cast as Tessa, later renamed Tahani, for The Good Place.

March 3, 2016: Manny Jacinto Cast

On March 3, 2016, Manny Jacinto was cast as Jason, described as a sweet and good-natured character whose dream is to make a living as a DJ in Southern Florida, for The Good Place.

March 14, 2016: D'Arcy Carden Cast

On March 14, 2016, D'Arcy Carden was cast as a series regular, initially announced as Janet Della-Denunzio, a violin salesperson with a checkered past, for The Good Place.

May 15, 2016: Premise Announcement

On May 15, 2016, NBC announced the final premise for The Good Place, including the afterlife element, as part of its 2016–17 TV season announcement.

September 19, 2016: Series Premiere

On September 19, 2016, The Good Place, an American fantasy-comedy television series created by Michael Schur for NBC, premiered.

January 30, 2017: Renewal for Season 2

On January 30, 2017, NBC renewed The Good Place for a second season consisting of 13 episodes.

September 20, 2017: Season 2 Premiere

On September 20, 2017, The Good Place's second season premiered with an hour-long opening episode.

September 21, 2017: Netflix Distribution

On September 21, 2017, The Good Place's first season was released on Netflix in several international territories, with subsequent seasons' episodes becoming available within 24 hours of their U.S. broadcast.

October 17, 2017: Season 1 DVD Release

On October 17, 2017, the first season of The Good Place was released on DVD in region 1 by Shout! Factory.

November 21, 2017: Renewal for Season 3

On November 21, 2017, NBC renewed The Good Place for a 13-episode third season.

2017: AFI Top 10 Television Programs

In 2017, The Good Place was named as one of the American Film Institute's top 10 television programs of the year.

July 17, 2018: Season 2 DVD Release

On July 17, 2018, the second season of The Good Place was released on DVD by Shout! Factory.

September 27, 2018: Season 3 Premiere

On September 27, 2018, The Good Place's third season premiered.

December 4, 2018: Renewal for Season 4

On December 4, 2018, NBC renewed The Good Place for a fourth season.

2018: Ted Danson Critics' Choice Award

In 2018, Ted Danson won a Critics' Choice Television Award for his performance as Michael in The Good Place.

June 7, 2019: Final Season Announcement

On June 7, 2019, it was announced that the fourth season of The Good Place would be the last.

July 30, 2019: Season 3 DVD Release

On July 30, 2019, the third season of The Good Place was released on DVD by Shout! Factory.

September 2019: Release of "The Selection" web series

In September 2019, NBC released a six-episode web series titled "The Selection" (full title: "The Good Place Presents: The Selection") on their website, app, and YouTube channel. The web series, directed by Eric Kissack, was nominated for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards.

September 26, 2019: Season 4 Premiere

On September 26, 2019, The Good Place's fourth season premiered.

2019: Bell People's Choice Award

In 2019, Kristen Bell won a People's Choice Award for her performance as Eleanor in The Good Place.

2019: Awards and Nominations

In 2019, The Good Place received two Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. The show also won several Hugo Awards and received a Peabody Award for its contributions to entertainment in 2019.