Created by Reg Watson for German television, Verboten Liebe took its core concept from Australian soap opera Sons and Daughters, including the idea of two siblings separated by their parents who later fall in love (the 'verboten' love of the title). The program was also influenced by American soap opera Ryan's Hope, and, running as it did for more than four times its predecessors' 900 episodes, developed into a series of its own.
After its cancellation, it was revived as Verboten Liebe: Next Generation in 2020.