Originally, the show was intended as a starring vehicle for Victoria Principal, due to the fact that Pam would act as a buffer between the Ewings and the Barneses. J.R. was intended to be more of a supporting character. However, the producers were so impressed by Larry Hagman's portrayal of the immoral J.R., that he soon became the show's main character. Victoria stayed the hero though, and pretty soon it become angel Pam vs. Devil JR.
The house used as the "Southfork Ranch" house was a real Texas residence called "Duncan Acres", owned by Joe R. Duncan (or J.R. Duncan). When the show became popular, tourists from all over the world visited the house day and night. The Duncan family was forced to sell the house, and it is now a museum devoted to the show.
In several of the early episodes of the series, Lucy (Charlene Tilton) and Ray (Steve Kanaly) were often portrayed as lovers. However, when it was revealed that Ray was Jock's illegitimate son, and therefore Lucy's uncle, his affair with Lucy was never mentioned again.
The "Dallas" producers and TNT asked Victoria Principal to return back to the "Dallas" franchise to reprise her Pam Barnes Ewing role for the 2012 reboot. Principal declined and issued the following statement to the public about this decision: "Since the inception of 'Dallas', the creators and fans around the world have referred to Bobby and Pam, as the Romeo & Juliet of 'Dallas'. I could not agree more. And since the original author of this scenario, William Shakespeare, felt compelled to make theirs a tragic love story, of epic and unforgettable deathly loss, I think I shall respect that very successful example, and leave the legacy of Bobby & Pam's tragic love story, undisturbed and intact. When I filmed Pam's fatal car accident, for me that was the punctuation mark on my role as Pam. I cannot be held responsible for any choices made by producers, once I left 'Dallas', but I do take responsibility for my decision, not to risk tarnishing Bobby & Pam's love story, with a desperate reappearance. I made this decision a long time ago with a loving and respectful heart for 'Dallas', Bobby & Pam and all faithful fans."
In the mid 1980s, Linda Gray was briefly fired from this show after asking for a pay raise, and requesting that she be given a chance to direct episodes like Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy. However, Hagman threatened to leave the show because he didn't feel they could have J.R. without Sue Ellen.