Writer and Director James Ivory initially resisted the casting of Dame Maggie Smith in this movie. Although he did not think her appropriate for the role, despite her talent, she was cast by Producer Ismail Merchant over Ivory's objections. Ivory later conceded, "it was one of the most wonderful things that ever happened to me."
Author Jean Rhys wrote her story based on her true-life experience with the writer Ford Madox Ford and his wife.
Dame Maggie Smith appeared in another movie named O Quarteto (2012). However, the only similarities between the two movies are the title and Dame Maggie Smith.
The book by Jean Rhys was originally titled "Postures" when it was published in London in 1928 by Chatto and Windus. When the U.S. publishers Simon and Schuster published it in the United States, the name was changed to "Quartet".
Director James Ivory met actor Anthony Higgins in Heathrow Airport and hired him for his role right on the spot.