More than half of the actors who played jurors in 12 Hommes en colère (1957) have roles in the show. In addition to E.G. Marshall, Martin Balsam, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, and Robert Webber appeared in multiple episodes, often as District Attorneys or judges. Furthermore, Ossie Davis appeared in eight episodes as District Attorney Daniel Jackson. Davis played a juror in Douze hommes en colère (1997). Series Creator Reginald Rose was nominated for an Oscar for writing 12 Angry Men (1957).
The characters first appeared in 1957 episodes (The Defender: Parts 1 and 2) of Studio One (1948), when they were played by Ralph Bellamy and William Shatner.
The pilot has mostly the same plot as Season 1, Episode 3, episode three, "Death Across the Counter", but Lawrence is married to Frances (Meg Mundy) instead of being a widower.
Spoofed in Mad Magazine as "The Defensers".
The pilot episode features a young, 31-year old Gene Hackman in the first 5 minutes.