On October 29, 2012, AMC renewed Hell on Wheels for a third season, which will consist of 10 episodes. It was also announced that series creators Joe and Tony Gayton would step down as series' showrunners, and series producer/writer/director John Shiban would take over. Following the departure of John Shiban, the renewal was put on hold until a replacement could be found. On December 12, 2012, AMC announced that John Wirth, a writer for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, will be the new showrunner for the show's third season. Production of the season's 10 episodes began in spring of 2013.

Wirth has stated the third season "will be a western about work — the building of the railroad, the binding of the nation after the Civil War, and the rehabilitation of the men who lived and fought their way through those exploits." He added, "This season we're placing Cullen Bohannon at the center of the show, and taking him away from the revenge motive which propelled him into the series." The third season's premiere was August 10.