In the novel, upon searching his computers and devices, the police note that Terry Maitland watches Ozark (2017) on Netflix. In this series, Terry Maitland is played by Jason Bateman, the star of that TV series.
Holly Gibney was described as a Caucasian woman in the novel. Jason Bateman insisted that Cynthia Erivo be cast as Holly though, out of a desire to work with her.
In the novel, Holly Gibney does not like to drink alcohol and is an atheist. Her therapist told her that her feelings can more easily be put in perspective by speaking to a self-created higher power so she does still pray.
The two main characters in this series, Ralph Anderson and Holly Gibney, both of whom are meant to be understood as Americans, are played by non-Americans: Ben Mendelsohn (who is from Australia) and Cynthia Erivo (from England) respectively. Additionally, the actors who play the Bolton brothers, Paddy Considine (Claude Bolton) and Max Beesley (Seale Bolton) are from England.
Richard Price's 4th TV project with HBO, the previous three projects were A Escuta (2002), The Night Of (2016), and The Deuce (2017). Only "The Night of..." never returned for a second season.
Bill Camp also co-starred in that latter HBO series.