Prior to being cast as Maud, Nilson had long expressed a desire to have a role in the series. In interviews, Nilson has occasionally compared her role as Maud—who is often viewed as an outsider among other ponies—to her own experiences of living in Japan. During recording sessions, Nilson often stays rigidly still in order to get into character. She has cited the title character of Daria as one of her inspirations for affecting Maud's voice.