Patricia Arquette and Eric Lange each gained 40 pounds to physically transform for their roles in the series.

Principal production took place in Upstate New York from August 2017 to March 2018.

Episode 6, a flashback episode, was shot on 16 mm film, unlike the rest of the series which used a different format.

Episode 6 was deliberately filmed last so that Patricia Arquette and Eric Lange could safely lose the weight they had gained for their roles.

Director Ben Stiller decided to shut down production for a month out of concern there wouldn't be enough time for the actors to lose the weight they had gained.

Production was further delayed by three weeks to accommodate the birth of actor Eric Lange's son.

In a December 2018 interview from Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, the real Joyce Mitchell denied having had sex with Richard Matt and David Sweat, contradicting the series' portrayal.

Joyce Mitchell publicly criticized director Ben Stiller, calling him a liar who only cared about profiting from her story.