Russian President Viktor Petrov is a clear nod to President Vladimir Putin, from his looks, cold demeanor, thug-like appearance to his anti-gay laws and even the initials VP. This is unlike other characters of the series, who are mostly based on the characters of the 1990 BBC's Mini-Series. Another nod to the reality can be Francis' program "Amworks", which bears close resemblance, in Congress resistance, presidential insistence and controversy, to the "Obamacare" program.
Two members of Russia's Pussy Riot, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Mariya Alyokhina, portray themselves as characters. They were arrested in 2012 and imprisoned for almost two years by the Russian government for their protesting Vladimir Putin's anti-gay regime. Head writer Beau Willimon invited them to submit script ideas based on their personal experiences and one of their music videos plays during the closing credits, which no other director's done previously.