Lauren Ambrose changed her mind about playing the role of the daughter whose obsession with dance and dieting almost kills her. Keri Russell soon took on the role. Russell had studied classical dance when she was younger. She said she just needed some catch-up classes.
Dane Christensen who plays Gorden Reiner - the bungee-jumping love interest of the youngest sister - is the real life brother of Erika Christensen who plays Andy Wolfmeyer - the second oldest sister who becomes a radio assistant producer. This adds a fun almost inside joke to Andy noticing Gorden and telling her sister that he's cute and that she should ask him out.
Although Erika Christensen is six years younger than Keri Russell, she plays a sister older than Russell, and Alicia Witt, who is only one year older than Russell, plays the eldest.