The stories examine the dark side of human nature in seven episodes: "Lust", "Pride", "Wrath", "Sloth", "Greed", "Envy", and "Gluttony" — the seven deadly sins.
A soundtrack was released by ABC Music, featuring vocals by artists Paul Kelly, Renée Geyer, Vika Bull, and Deborah Conway.
In the same year, ABC TV screened a series of short films under the same name, produced and directed by Stephen Burstow, comprising dance works commissioned from leading contemporary choreographers.
Seven Deadly Sins was pitched to Penny Chapman, then head of drama at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, by script editor Barbara Masel.
P. J. Hogan ("Sloth") and Alison Maclean ("Greed") were selected as directors before their international careers had taken off, while Gale Edwards ("Pride") had until then had only ever directed for the theatre.