Berger helmed the film from a script by Rowan Joffe that is based on Osborne's book. Berger, Mike Goodridge and Matthew James Wilkinson serve as producers. The Ballad of a Small Player is the initial feature under Berger's first-look deal with Netflix.

The "Conclave" and "All Quiet on the Western Front" director helms the Netflix feature that co-stars Tilda Swinton.