At the table read for the pilot, Shonda Rhimes told Bellamy Young that her arc on the show would only consist of four to five episodes before Young's character would be written off.
Costume designer Lyn Paolo refused to borrow any designer clothes from fashion designers and insisted that each item worn by the characters be bought since the show frequently employs flashbacks and items are constantly reused.
Katie Lowes had worked as a babysitter to supplement her income in between guest spots on TV shows. When Shonda Rhimes made her a regular. she told her she wouldn't have to babysit anymore.
Jeff Perry (who plays Cyrus Beene) and Zoe Perry (who plays Samantha Ruland) are father and daughter in real life. Zoe's mother is Jeff Perry's ex-wife, actress Laurie Metcalf.