Maris Racal was Antoinette Jadaone's first choice to play the titular character mainly because of Racal's gymnastic build.
The featured sport was not originally gymnastics but volleyball. Jadaone ultimately chose rhythmic gymnastics, an individual sport and a unique discipline reserved for women, to fit into Sunshine's narrative and struggles.
The main character was originally named "Analyn". "Sunshine" was ultimately named after a resource person (a doctor) who contributed a lot to the research.