The real Felix Dzerzhinsky (1877-1926) was the founder of the "Cheka", Soviet State Security force.
Melissa Leo would later go on to star opposite Denzel Washington in 2014's "The Equalizer", which is based on the series, which Denzel Washington succeeded Edward Woodward as Robert McCall.
Melissa Leo acts the role of Irina Dzershinsky, the daughter of the defector.
Curiously, almost 30 years later, Melissa Leo will interpret the role of "Susan Plummer" (Control) in the two Equalizer movies starring Denzel Washington.