Every Object Tells a Story in East of Eden

Deep Dive
Every Object Tells a Story in East of Eden
A closer look at the sets, props, and production design of Zoe Kazan’s limited series adaptation.
By Tudum Staff
Oct. 1, 2026

In her limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, creator, co-showrunner, and executive producer Zoe Kazan enlisted Academy Award–winning production designer Grant Major (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Power of the Dog) to bring the half century of this family saga to life. “He took our conversations and put them in such a profound way into the details of these worlds — [with] so much history in them,” says Kazan. “Every one of our collaborators lifted this [project] so much.” Take a look at some of the objects found in the sweeping epic.

Portrait of Cyrus Trask

A vintage study with bookshelves, a large framed portrait of a man, wooden crates, stacked books, and an American flag draped over the boxes, all in a dimly lit room with green paneled walls and rustic decor.

A stately portrait of a dishonest man. After the death of their authoritarian father, Cyrus (Tracy Letts), Adam (Christopher Abbott), and Charles (Mike Faist) discover the heroic war stories he clung to are anything but.

Adam and Cathy’s wedding memento

Old sepia photograph, handwritten letters, magnifying glass, pen, and newspaper clippings spread out on a wooden desk, suggesting investigation or family history research in a vintage setting.

The mysterious Cathy Ames (Florence Pugh) comes into Adam and Charles’s lives shortly after their reunion in adulthood. Cathy’s arrival further strains the brothers’ relationship as Adam becomes enamored and decides to marry her, ignoring Charles’s pleas to see the stranger for who she is.

Trask family farm

A weathered red wooden farmhouse with a front porch stands on a grassy hill, surrounded by overgrown fields, stone walls, and trees, with another rustic outbuilding in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Adam and Charles — half-siblings with contrasting temperaments — spent their childhoods on a farm in Connecticut, under the harsh eye of their father, Cyrus. After initially being tasked by Cyrus to maintain the farm when Adam joined the US Army Cavalry, Charles stays behind when Adam and Cathy decide to go explore a new life in the West.

Cathy’s trinket box

An open suitcase on a bed contains a round tin filled with vintage currency, jewelry, rings, and a pink patterned fabric, suggesting hidden valuables in a cozy, private setting.

From a young age, Cathy has kept the baubles and gifts she received from her male admirers in a tin keepsake box. As she ages, she uses it to stash valuables that may offer some freedom, including money she steals from Mr. Edwards (Josh McConville), a brothel owner who takes a liking to her.

Adam’s ranch

Old adobe-style house with arched entry gate, weathered walls, tile roof, and surrounding desert landscape with cacti under cloudy sky.

Once in California, Adam turns to Samuel Hamilton (Ciarán Hinds) to help find him a plot of land where he can set down roots of his own. Taking on many acres alongside a Spanish ranch, Adam hires Lee (Hoon Lee) to help manage the homestead. Lee’s responsibilities with the Trask family start to increase.

Salinas Valley Lettuce advertisement

Two smiling men in overalls hold heads of lettuce in a green field with rows of lettuce, a train passing by, and mountains in the background, promoting Salinas Valley lettuce as fresh-picked.

Settled into his new life, Adam sees a chance to create a fortune for his family — he buys an ice plant and experiments with refrigerating the valley’s fine produce to export across the country. His sons, Cal (Joseph Zada) and Aron (Joe Anders), lend their efforts to the operation.

Adam’s automobile

Vintage black Ford Model T parked on a gravel driveway, surrounded by greenery and trees, with a classic open-top design and brass details visible in an outdoor setting.

Adam’s new business success allows him to buy an automobile, one of the many modern marvels that can be found in town. The extravagant technology wows the Trask men.

Faye’s brothel

Elegant vintage living room with floral arrangement, ornate furniture, patterned wallpaper, framed landscape painting, fireplace with decor, statues, and soft, natural lighting from tall draped windows.

After leaving her husband and children behind at the ranch, Cathy reinvents herself as Kate Albey when she arrives at the Salinas brothel run by Faye (Martha Plimpton). Faye takes great pride in her fashionably decorated, high-class establishment.

Trask Salinas home

Victorian-style house with ornate trim, large porch, and front steps, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, under a partly cloudy sky in a calm, residential neighborhood.

After living in physical and emotional isolation on the ranch, Adam makes the choice to move to the city of Salinas with his sons so they can attend school with other children. With their new yellow house comes a fresh start.

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