Cordozar's back story is based on American vulture capitalist/convict Martin Shkreli.
The swords used in Eliot's fight were made of steel instead of stunt aluminum, and according to an Instagram post by Christian Kane "they were really heavy and really hurt."
Breanna's alias is Billie Potts. This may be a combination of the names of two companions from Doctor Who (2005): Billie Piper played Rose, a companion of the 9th and 10th Doctors, and Bill Potts was a companion of the 12th Doctor. References to Doctor Who were a longstanding tradition on the original Leverage series.
Jenna is played by Director Dean Devlin's daughter, Hannah.
The backstory to the Castle is similar to that of Lord of the Rings.