Margaret Qualley, who plays Alex, is the real-life daughter of Andie MacDowell, who plays Paula. This show marks the first time they appear together in a production. Also, MacDowell's real-life mother's name is Paula.
Alex frequently dreams of a better life in Missoula, Montana, and in the second episode it is mentioned that she has wanted to live in Montana ever since she read "A River Runs Through It." Margaret Qualley, who portrays Alex, was born in Montana and spent her early years on a ranch in Missoula.
Margaret Qualley (Alex) plays a character whose boyfriend subjects her to domestic abuse. In September 2021, very shortly before the show's release date, Qualley gave an interview to "Harper's Bazaar" in which journalist Molly Creeden asked her about the domestic-violence lawsuit that singer-songwriter FKA Twigs (née Tahliah Debrett Barnett) brought against Qualley's ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf. Qualley replied, "It was important to me for [Barnett] to know that I believe her. It's as simple as that."
Two of the show's main actors originally hail from the Pacific Northwest area where it's set. Nick Robinson (Sean) is from Seattle, where the show takes place. Billy Burke (Hank) was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington, a city north of Seattle by the Canadian border, and very near the show's Victoria filming location.