The series was inspired by the work of Paul Ekman, a specialist in facial expressions and professor emeritus at UC San Francisco School of Medicine, who has advised police departments and anti-terrorism groups.

Paul Ekman served as a scientific consultant during the production of the series, and the lead character Cal Lightman is loosely based on Ekman's career.

The character Dr. Gillian Foster is based on Maureen O'Sullivan, emeritus professor of psychology at the University of San Francisco.

The fictional Lightman Group offices were filmed at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 801 Mt Vernon Place NW, Washington, D.C.

Samuel Baum was the original showrunner and head writer, but Shawn Ryan, creator of The Shield and The Unit, took over as showrunner for the second season.

The show's theme song, 'Brand New Day', was performed by Ryan Star.

A plot element about Lightman's mother claiming to be fine to obtain a weekend pass from a psychiatric ward, while actually in agony, parallels an anecdote from Paul Ekman's book 'Telling Lies'.

The third season's premiere date was moved up from November 10, 2010, to October 4, 2010, due to the cancellation of the television series Lone Star.