One of the most anticipated literary adaptations in years is nearly here. Netflix’s East of Eden, adapted by Zoe Kazan from Steinbeck’s classic novel, starts streaming on October 1. The new look at the series — shared on August 18, 2026 — offers the most detailed glimpse yet at the world Kazan has built, one that centres on Pugh as the indelible antihero Cathy Ames, whose life is intertwined with the lives of generations of men from the Trask family — notably those of Adam (Christopher Abbott) and Charles (Mike Faist) — as the characters live out the darker side of the California dream.
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What Is East of Eden About?
In the farmlands of the Salinas Valley in California, successive generations of two families — the Trasks and the Hamiltons — are destined to reenact the fateful story of Cain and Abel.
The series is a modern interpretation of the novel and will explore the multigenerational saga of the Trask family, focusing new attention on its indelible antihero, Cathy Ames, played by Pugh. The series spans decades in the lives of Cathy and the Trask family, and is bookended by the American Civil War and World War I.
The choice between good and evil is at the heart of this fresh interpretation of Steinbeck’s 1952 novel.
East of Eden: At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series Title | East of Eden |
| Type | Limited Series |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Premiere Date | October 1, 2026 |
| Episodes | 7 |
| Based On | East of Eden by John Steinbeck (1952) |
| Adapted By | Zoe Kazan |
| Co-Showrunner | Jeb Stuart |
| Directors | Garth Davis (Eps 1–4), Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre (Eps 5–7) |
| Filmed | New Zealand |
| Production Companies | Anonymous Content, Fifth Season |
Full Cast
The series stars Tracy Letts as Cyrus Trask, Martha Plimpton as Faye, Ciarán Hinds as Samuel Hamilton, Joseph Zada as Cal Trask, Joe Anders as Aron Trask, Christopher Abbott as Adam Trask, Mike Faist as Charles Trask, and Hoon Lee as Lee.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Florence Pugh | Cathy Ames |
| Christopher Abbott | Adam Trask |
| Mike Faist | Charles Trask |
| Joseph Zada | Cal Trask |
| Joe Anders | Aron Trask |
| Hoon Lee | Lee |
| Tracy Letts | Cyrus Trask |
| Martha Plimpton | Faye |
| Ciarán Hinds | Samuel Hamilton |
| Brad McMurray | Joe Valery |
Florence Pugh as Cathy Ames
Florence Pugh leads the series as one of literature’s most complex antiheroes — and also serves as an executive producer. In a teaser for the forthcoming drama, Pugh says: “When I was a little girl, I imagined that I could grow smaller. So small that the bad things couldn’t find me, and I could disappear.” It is a moment that perfectly captures the psychological darkness at the heart of Cathy Ames — and the kind of performance that is already generating serious awards season conversation.
Christopher Abbott as Adam Trask
Christopher Abbott, known for Poor Things, plays Adam Trask. Adam is Cathy’s husband and the emotional centre of the Trask family saga — a man whose capacity for love and self-delusion will define the generations that follow him.
Mike Faist as Charles Trask
Mike Faist, known for Challengers, plays Charles Trask. Charles Trask is Adam’s half-brother — a role originally associated with James Dean’s first major screen role in the 1955 film. Faist steps into that legacy with one of the most closely watched pieces of casting in the entire project.
The Supporting World of Derry
Over the years, the Trask family’s paths intersect with people like Samuel Hamilton (Ciarán Hinds), an Irishman who made his way to California where he raised a family and got to know the land, and Lee (Hoon Lee), a Chinese American whose intellect is surpassed only by his ability to give care to those who need it most, and Faye (Martha Plimpton), a brothel owner whose open heart might lead to her downfall.
The Creative Team
In adapting East of Eden for the 21st century, Zoe Kazan drew inspiration from Steinbeck himself, who said the novel would be “two books — the story of my country and the story of me.” Kazan has her own family connection to the material; her grandfather, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Elia Kazan, directed a 1955 film adaptation of the novel, starring James Dean.
Jeb Stuart joins Kazan behind the camera as co-showrunner and executive producer. Garth Davis directs the first four episodes, while Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre helms the final three.
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Writer & Co-Showrunner | Zoe Kazan |
| Co-Showrunner & EP | Jeb Stuart |
| Director (Eps 1–4) | Garth Davis |
| Director (Eps 5–7) | Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre |
| Executive Producer | Florence Pugh |
| Production Companies | Anonymous Content, Fifth Season |
Where Was It Filmed?
Filmed across multiple locations in New Zealand, East of Eden hails from co-studios Fifth Season and Anonymous Content. Filming for East of Eden began in New Zealand in mid-October 2024, with locations including Dunedin and Oamaru. Production wrapped by March 2025, and the series has been in post-production for several months.
Read More: IT: WELCOME TO DERRY Season 2 Officially Renewed at HBO, With Bill Skarsgård in Focus
FAQs
When does East of Eden premiere on Netflix?
Netflix has set a Thursday, October 1 premiere for its seven-part East of Eden adaptation starring Florence Pugh.
What role does Florence Pugh play in East of Eden?
Pugh plays antihero Cathy Ames, while Abbott portrays Adam Trask.
Who wrote the East of Eden Netflix series?
Actress and writer Zoe Kazan is writing and producing the Netflix miniseries. Her writing credits include Wildlife and Ruby Sparks.
How many episodes does East of Eden have?
Zoe Kazan has adapted the classic book into a seven-episode limited series.
Is East of Eden based on a book?
It is adapted from John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel of the same name.
