Florence Pugh stars in Netflix adaptation of East of Eden

Netflix is set to release a seven-episode limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel “East of Eden” on October 1. The production features Florence Pugh in the central role of Cathy Ames, an antiheroine described as a “psychic monster” in the original text. Pugh also serves as an executive producer.

Written by Zoe Kazan—granddaughter of Elia Kazan, who directed the iconic 1955 film adaptation—the series aims to provide a more expansive look at the Trask family history than previous versions. While the 1955 film focused heavily on the character Cal Trask, this series centers on Cathy Ames and her influence across generations. To maintain narrative momentum, the adaptation will omit the Hamilton family storyline present in the novel.

In recent promotional appearances, including “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Pugh has discussed the emotional complexity of her character, noting that she sought to understand the trauma behind Cathy’s actions rather than portraying her as a one-dimensional villain. The series stars Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, and Josh Hartnett.