SALINAS VALLEY — Netflix released a seven-episode limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel "East of Eden" created by Zoe Kazan. Florence Pugh stars as Cathy Ames in the series and serves as an executive producer.

The series revisits the 1952 novel with a focus on characters omitted from the 1955 film directed by Kazan's grandfather, Elia Kazan. Christopher Abbott plays Adam Trask, while Mike Faist plays Charles Trask. Hoon Lee portrays the character Lee, a role that was excluded from the earlier cinematic version.

Pugh described the complexity of her character through several statements about human nature and morality. She said she believes there are monsters born in the world to human parents. She added that everyone is normal to himself. Pugh noted that for the modern woman, that presents a problem. In discussing the character's interactions, she stated that you’re so kind to me, and I’ll only ever bring you trouble.

Kazan sought to revise the omission of Lee from the 1955 film, which focused primarily on Cal Trask. James Dean starred as Cal Trask in that earlier adaptation. The 1955 film was the first directed by Elia Kazan to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, though it did not win. Kazan stated she had no backup actress for the role of Cathy Ames, describing Pugh as having a "doll-like" presentation with something "icy or steely underneath."

Jeb Stuart served as co-showrunner for the series alongside Kazan. Martha Plimpton plays the character Faye, and Tracy Letts plays Cyrus Trask. Joseph Zada plays Cal Trask and Joe Anders plays Aron Trask.

Stuart Dryburgh served as the cinematographer for the production. Alexander Chee co-wrote one episode of the series focused on the character Lee.

Kazan originally intended for the series to consist of eight episodes, but the final version was reduced to seven due to budget constraints. She previously worked as a writer and producer on 'The Plot Against America' (2020) and 'The Deuce' (2017-2019), both produced by HBO. Her grandfather, Elia Kazan, testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1952, which led to blacklisting of several Hollywood figures.

Pugh was brought on to the project in 2020 and serves as an executive producer, a role she said helped boost her confidence and allowed her to help shape the adaptation. She said she thought it was the most beautiful love letter to protecting her as a child. She explained her approach to the role by stating that when she read that, she was like, ‘I can get behind her.’ Because she can’t imagine for a moment after that abuse that she’ll ever be the same person again. Kazan commented on the interpretation, saying, "I think the text supports my reading."

Lee previously appeared in the Cinemax series 'Banshee' (2014-2019) and the Netflix series 'See' (2019-2021), and originated the role of Kim in the Broadway production of 'The King and I' (2015). He also appeared in the HBO series 'Warrior'. In the novel, "Steinbeck translates the Hebrew word timshel as" thou mayest. Steinbeck wrote in letters to his editor Pascal Covici that the character Cathy was dear to him.

John Steinbeck considered East of Eden his magnum opus and stated, I think everything else I have written has been, in a sense, practice for this. The novel incorporates elements of the biblical story of Cain and Abel and is based on the life story of Steinbeck's maternal great-grandfather, Samuel Hamilton. Steinbeck's novel was his first work to be published after he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962.

Why It Matters

The adaptation addresses historical omissions from the 1955 film by restoring the character of Lee, who was originally cast in that production but cut from the final release. Kazan’s creative process was influenced by her family history, including her grandfather’s earlier work, which she initially avoided watching to prevent influence on her own vision. Posthumously published letters from Steinbeck to his editor provided additional creative guidance for the series, offering insight into the author's intent regarding key characters.