Anecdotes

The show's title comes from the fact that it initially focused mainly on a single extended family, the Hart/Gates family. With ratings low, Brian Park, who had been credited with revitalising Coronation Street (1960), was brought in as the new producer in 1998 - his first decision being to kill off all remaining members of the show's central family, drastically altering the premise that gave the show its title.

As both shows were produced by Pearson Television, many sets from The Bill (1984), including the police station and hospital, were also used in Family Affairs. When the character of Pete Callan was on remand in 2003, it was to allow actor David Easter to film an extended guest role in The Bill.

In 2000, in order to cut down on location filming, the show's focus was shifted to a single street, Stanley Street, with all locations previously featured in the show written out. While most characters not already living on the street moved there as part of their storylines, Sadie Hargreaves was shown as now living on Stanley Street with no on-screen explanation - with the interior of her house remaining exactly the same, despite the exterior changing from a relatively large semi-detached house with a front garden to a small terrace.

Kazia Pelka, who played Chrissie Costello, won the Best Dramatic Performance award at the British Soap Awards in 2005 - the first award won by the show. Due to its axing later that year, it would also be the last award for the show.

The location of the show, Charnham, was originally established as an affluent town in Bedfordshire. However, following the 1998 revamp, Charnham was given a London Underground station and, in 2000, a fictitious London postcode (W15), establishing it as a West London suburb.