Louise Cherry says that the newspaper articles are inspired by Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle." Published in 1906, Sinclair wrote about working-class poverty and harsh living and working conditions to encourage socialism in the United States. His depiction of health violations and unsanitary practices in the American meat-packing industry led to sanitation reforms, including the 1906 Meat Inspection Act.
Sorcha Cusack is a member of the iconic Cusack (Ireland) acting family. She was the sidekick on the popular British detective show, Father Brown, for 9 seasons.