Russell T. Davies would later cast Penelope Wilton in the recurring role of Harriet Jones Doctor Who (2005). Jessica Hynes appeared in Human Nature (2007)/The Family of Blood (2007) and The End of Time: Part Two (2010), while Lesley Sharp and Daniel Ryan appeared in Midnight (2008).
Although critically well-received, the series was not a huge success in terms of audience share for ITV, and the final two episodes were relegated from prime-time to later night slots.
After Russell T. Davies developed the series around the prejudice he and his gay friends had shown, he realised he was creating caricatures for the purpose of exposing them, and instead focused on telling a traditional love story and gave the couple the traditionally British names of Bob Gossage and Rose Cooper.
This was Lesley Sharp's first leading role after her portrayal of secondary characters in past Red shows Playing the Field (1998) and Clocking Off (2000) (the latter of which, she co-starred with Siobhan Finneran).