Although the documentary includes a brief clip of Fred Rogers' meeting with Koko the Gorilla and shows Koko removing Mister Rogers' shoes, it does not explain the story behind the gorilla's actions. After Koko's death in June 2018, multiple obituaries for the gorilla explained that Koko faithfully watched Mister Rogers' show every day, and during their encounter, she removed his shoes because she was used to seeing him do the same at the start of every episode.
Director Morgan Neville was partly inspired to create this documentary after asking Yo-Yo Ma about how he handled his status of being a celebrity. Ma said Fred Rogers mentored him on how his fame could be used for good.
Betty Aberlin was contacted to interview for the film. However, she "[hadn't] done an interview in years, and... felt deeply insecure about going on-camera," according to director Morgan Neville.
The film's trailer was released online on what would have been Rogers' ninetieth birthday. The film was released a few months after the fiftieth anniversary of the debut of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968).
At the end there is a dedication to Marcia Neville (as Marcia Pierce Neville). She was director Morgan Neville's mother. She died during the making of the documentary.