Netflix brings ‘East of Eden’ to life with a star-studded cast

A new adaptation of a classic tale

Netflix has greenlit a limited series adaptation of “East of Eden”, penned by writer Zoe Kazan. This project, which has been in the works since June 2022, promises to breathe new life into John Steinbeck’s iconic novel. The series will feature Florence Pugh as Cathy, Christopher Abbott as Adam, Mike Faist as Charles, and Hoon Lee as Lee, spanning seven episodes.

Exploring the Trask family saga

The series will delve into the multigenerational saga of the Trask family, with a particular focus on the complex character of Cathy Ames. This adaptation aims to bring fresh attention to Steinbeck’s narrative, exploring themes of good and evil, love and betrayal, and the human condition.

A legacy of storytelling

Zoe Kazan, who not only writes but also serves as executive producer and co-showrunner, carries a familial connection to the material. Her grandfather, Elia Kazan, directed the original film adaptation starring James Dean. Joining her as co-showrunner and executive producer is Jeb Stuart, with Garth Davis directing the first four episodes and Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre helming the final three. The series is co-produced by Fifth Season and Anonymous Content.

A creative vision

Peter Friedlander, vice president of scripted series (US & Canada) for Netflix, praised Kazan’s vision, stating, “Zoe’s thoughtful and artistic vision pays homage to her grandfather’s revered film adaptation while beautifully honoring and introducing new audiences to a true canon of American literature. She is an inspiring, creative force, and we cannot wait for everyone to see what she and Jeb, alongside the brilliant cast led by Florence Pugh, bring to screen.”

Kazan herself expressed her deep connection to the project, saying, “In the process of bringing this family saga to life, the resonance of my own familial connection to the material has not been lost on me. But it is Steinbeck’s writing–personal, shocking, profound, and free–that has kept me enthralled to ‘East of Eden’ since I first read the book as a young teen. Working on this has been the greatest joy, and I am thrilled by the cast and crew we are assembling – and deeply grateful to Netflix, Fifth Season & Anonymous Content for their support.”

Meet the cast

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh, known for her roles in “We Live in Time”, “Dune 2”, and “Oppenheimer”, will take on the role of Cathy. She will also reprise her role as Yelena Belova in the upcoming Marvel film “Thunderbolts”. Pugh’s diverse filmography includes “Little Women”, “Fighting with My Family”, and “Midsommar”.

Christopher Abbott

Christopher Abbott, who will play Adam, has an impressive resume with TV credits like “Catch-22”, “The Crowded Room”, “The Sinner”, and “Entergalactic”. His performance in “Catch-22” earned him a Golden Globe nomination in 2020. Abbott’s film work includes “Poor Things”, “First Man”, and “It Comes at Night”. He is also set to star in Sony’s “Kraven the Hunter” and the Blumhouse-Universal reboot of “The Wolf Man”.

Mike Faist

Mike Faist, cast as Charles, recently starred in “Challengers” alongside Zendaya and Josh O’Connor, as well as the Jeff Nichols film “The Bikeriders”. He is also known for his role as Riff in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story”.

Hoon Lee

Hoon Lee, who will portray Lee, is recognized for his roles in “Warrior” and “Banshee” on Cinemax. He has also appeared in “See” on Apple TV+, “DMZ” on Max, and “Bosch” on Amazon. Lee was recently cast in the Apple TV+ series “Your Friends and Neighbors”.

A promising future

With a talented cast and crew, this adaptation of “East of Eden” is poised to captivate both new and longtime fans of Steinbeck’s work. The series promises to be a profound exploration of human nature, set against the backdrop of a richly woven family saga.

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