Victoria Wood later stated that she found herself to share similar characteristics with Pat and found that character much more relatable. However, Wood felt that Julie Walters would be more successful in the portrayal of Pat, and so instead took the part of the shy, timid Margaret.
In the original script, Pat's PA Claire was not pregnant; Victoria Wood wrote the pregnancy into the script to accommodate Celia Imrie's real-life pregnancy.
The working title was simply 'Sisters'.
Shirley Stelfox who plays Vera, Pat and Margaret's mother, is only 9 years older than Julie Walters, who plays Pat her daughter.
Julie Walters (Pat) and Shirley Stelfox (Vera) previously starred together in Personal Services (1987).