Inspired by an alternate draft of "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea," which featured Nemo as a Pole attacking Russian ships to avenge his dead family. (The book was changed to its more famous version of a stateless man attacking unflagged ships when Napoleon III signed a treaty with Russia.)
According to an early list of casting suggestions for the series, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Kate Beckinsale were among several actresses originally considered for the role of Rebecca Fogg.