Regal Entertainment Group theatres did a cross promotion with NBC advertising this show. All of the promotion materials (i.e. posters, carpets, popcorn bags, etc.) had the show titled as "Fathom" well after the series was renamed "Surface".
The character of Richard Connelly is based partially on Roy Neary, the main character of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) played by Richard Dreyfuss.
NBC's original title for this series was "Fathom".
NBC canceled the show after only one season due to poor ratings. In an unusual case, German channel ProSieben offered to continue the show in 2008, as the ratings were exceptionally high in Germany. It was planned to produce two 90-minute films which would've been co-financed by ProSieben. However, because all of the sets have been already dismantled, the plans to continue the show were dropped altogether.
Dr. Daughtery's (Lake Bell's) home- though said to be in California- can be seen on the ICWW between Masonboro Island and Wilmington, on the west bank.