Between shooting the pilot, several months prior, and the premier of the series' run, Teresa Graves became a devout Jehovah's Witness. She refused to have her character kiss on-screen, to drink alcohol, or lie.
Cicely Tyson originally was cast as Christie Love but was involved in an accident the day before shooting started. Executive producer David L. Wolper recast the role. The two would eventually work together on Roots (1977).
In her biography Cicely Tyson says she was upset upon hearing that ABC had her in mind for the part of Christie Love. After her dignified performance as Jane Pittman there was no way she was about to strip down to play a hooker with a badge, however she agreed to meet the producers. She suffered third degree burns to her foot the night before the meeting and was order to stay off her feet for three weeks and the role went to Teresa Graves.