Search calls were made for an actual drag queen to star in the show as Liberty/Albert De Lorio, but Augustus Prew ended up being cast in the role.
As of May 2015 HBO decided not to produce "Mama Dallas".
British actors Augustus Prew, Freddie Fox, Ben Barnes and American actor Sean Patrick Doyle tested for the leading role of Albert de Lorio/Liberty. Augustus Prew was awarded the role and Sean Patrick Doyle was cast as his chain-smoking roommate Kelly, a role first written for creator Mike White. Ben Barnes went on to be cast in HBO's Westworld (2016).