Ling Woo wasn't originally intended to be a regular. David E. Kelley liked Lucy Liu so much as a guest star, he and the writer decided to reveal that she has a law degree and join the firm after a few episodes, giving her a reason to be there.
The average size worn by the women on the set was 0-2. Jane Krakowski, who wore a size 6, reportedly said that some days she felt like a "fat cow".
Lara Flynn Boyle auditioned to play Ally. Although she didn't win the role, David E. Kelley liked her so much that he wrote the character of Helen Gamble on "The Practice (1997)" just for her. She also appeared in an episode in the last season as a different character.
In episode 8, season 4 of the show The Good Place (2016), one of the characters is handed a petition to reboot Ally McBeal stating "everything else is getting rebooted." Coincidently, a year later in March 2021, it was reported that a revival of Ally McBeal as a limited series was in early development by 20th Television with Calista Flockhart possibly returning.