While filming in the Fall of 2015, real FBI agents were in town involved in corruption charges involving politicians. There were a male and female agent just like in the series. Ironically, many thought the agents were the real FBI. Guess life imitates art sometimes.
In the small town of Van Lear, KY is the childhood home to the queen of country music singer, Loretta Lynn.
Van Lear was also home to character actor, Rick Roberts who plays Sheriff Jim Robbins in the Fifth Hollar. Roberts was the former Mayor of Van Lear in 1996.
Paintsville, Ky.,where 90% of the pilot episode was filmed is no stranger to Hollywood. The first movie was KENTUCKY WOMAN, filmed in 1981, starring Cheryl Ladd and Ned Beatty. Sheriff Jim Robbins in Fifth Hollar got his start as a feature extra in that movie. Since then eight other movie productions have been shot there or in Johnson County.
Actor, William (Bill) Meade, who plays Deputy Mark Moreland, in real life, works as a deputy near his hometown in Kentucky.