Get ready to venture into the dark side of the California dream.
Production has started on East of Eden, the Netflix adaptation of the 1952 novel by Nobel Prize–winning author John Steinbeck. The seven-episode limited series, written and executive produced by Zoe Kazan (Clickbait, The Plot Against America, The Deuce), will film in several locations across New Zealand and will star Florence Pugh (We Live in Time, Dune 2, Oppenheimer, Little Women, The Wonder), who will also executive produce.
The new take on the classic novel continues the legacy of Zoe’s grandfather, Elia Kazan (On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire), who directed the 1955 East of Eden film starring James Dean.
“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,” Kazan told Netflix. “But it is Steinbeck’s writing — personal, shocking, profound, and free — that has kept me enthralled by East of Eden since I first read the book as a young teen.”
The series follows the multi-generational Trask family saga explored from the perspective of the standout female character Cathy Ames, played by Pugh.
Zoe Kazan
“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,” said Peter Friedlander, Vice President, Scripted Series at Netflix. “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.”
Here’s the full cast of East of Eden that has been announced so far:
Director Garth Davis (Lion, Mary Magdalene) will helm Episodes 1–4, and Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre (The Mustang, Lady Chatterley's Lover, The Act) will direct Episodes 5-7.
Jeb Stuart (Liberator, Vikings: Valhalla, The Fugitive) will co-executive produce and co-showrun alongside Kazan.
“Working on this has been the greatest joy, and I am thrilled by the cast and crew we are assembling,” said Kazan.
