Series creator/executive producer David E. Kelley and series regular Dedee Pfeiffer (Denise Brisbane) are brother/sister-in-law in real life, Kelley married to Pfeiffer's older sister, Michelle Pfeiffer.
The character of Ronald was based on real life serial killer Ed Gein. Gein was also the inspiration for Norman Bates from Psychose (1960), Leatherface from Massacre à la tronçonneuse (1974), and Buffalo Bill from Le silence des agneaux (1991).
Le silence des agneaux (1991) costars Ted Levine and Brooke Smith both appear in season 1, Smith in the first half of the season and Levine in the second half.
While the series is primarily set in Montana centered on Helena, principal photography for Season 1 took place in southwestern British Columbia, Canada, principal photography for Seasons 2 and 3 in New Mexico.