Commissioner Richard Miller's medal ribbon arrangement is the same as real life Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe's. Though he is not addressed as "Sir Richard Miller" despite wearing a Knight Bachelor ribbon (which indicates a knighthood). His other ribbons are the Queen's Police Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal and the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
A close-up of the Commissioners flatcap shows the name of the Police force to be 'County Constabulary'.
Danny Boyle directed Trainspotting (1996) based on an Irvine Welsh novel. After seeing Filth (2013) (also based on Welsh material) directed by Jon S Baird Boyle hired Baird for this show.