John Steinbeck’s classic American novel East of Eden is getting a fresh adaptation on Netflix. The new series will bring the epic, multi-generational story of the Trask and Hamilton families to screens around the world in early 2026. Spearheaded by writer Zoe Kazan and starring Academy Award-nominated actress Florence Pugh, the project started filming in late 2024 and has generated significant attention from literary and film fans.
This adaptation is a seven-episode limited series, providing more time than a single movie to explore the complex characters and deep themes of Steinbeck’s book. Netflix formally approved the series in September 2024.
The Story of ‘East of Eden’
East of Eden is a story about family, choice, and the struggle between good and evil. The plot follows two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—in California’s Salinas Valley from just after the American Civil War through the end of World War I. Their lives are connected by destiny and conflict, often mirroring the ancient Biblical stories of Adam and Eve and the rivalry between brothers Cain and Abel.
The Netflix series will place special focus on the character of Cathy Ames, described as an “indelible antihero”. Played by Florence Pugh, Cathy is a complex and manipulative woman whose actions deeply affect the Trask family for generations. The story explores how her choices, along with those of brothers Adam and Charles Trask, create a legacy of tension between Adam’s own sons, the brothers Cal and Aron.
The All-Star Cast and Creative Team
This new adaptation boasts a powerful cast of well-known actors and rising stars, led by Florence Pugh. The full cast includes:
- Florence Pugh plays Cathy Ames, the central and mysterious figure at the heart of the family drama.
- Christopher Abbott (known for Poor Things) plays Adam Trask, the gentle but troubled patriarch of the Trask family.
- Mike Faist (from Challengers and West Side Story) plays Charles Trask, Adam’s intense and volatile brother.
- Hoon Lee (from Warrior) plays Lee, the wise and loyal housekeeper for the Trask family.
- Tracy Letts plays Cyrus Trask, the strict father of Adam and Charles.
- Martha Plimpton plays Faye, the owner of a brothel in Salinas.
- Ciarán Hinds (known for Belfast and Game of Thrones) plays Samuel Hamilton, the kind-hearted patriarch of the Hamilton family.
- Joseph Zada plays Cal Trask, one of Adam’s twin sons who struggles for his father’s love.
- Joe Anders plays Aron Trask, Cal’s brother.
The series is written and executive produced by Zoe Kazan, who has a unique personal connection to the material. Her grandfather, legendary director Elia Kazan, directed the famous 1955 film adaptation of East of Eden that starred James Dean. Zoe Kazan shared her thoughts on taking on this project:
“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 by East of Eden since I first read the book as a young teen.”
She serves as co-showrunner alongside Jeb Stuart, the writer behind films like Die Hard and the Netflix series Vikings: Valhalla. The directing duties are split: Garth Davis (director of Lion) directs the first four episodes, and Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre (director of The Mustang) directs the final three episodes.
Behind the Scenes: Filming in New Zealand
Despite the story being set in California’s Salinas Valley, the series was filmed entirely in New Zealand. Production began in October 2024 and wrapped in March 2025. The production utilized several scenic locations across the country to stand in for early 20th-century California, including the cities of Auckland, Dunedin, and Oamaru.
Peter Friedlander, Vice President of Scripted Series at Netflix, expressed strong support for Kazan’s vision: “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.”
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Episode Titles and Structure
The series will consist of seven episodes, allowing for a detailed exploration of Steinbeck’s long novel. Each episode has a title that hints at its part of the story:
- Part 1: Genesis
- Part 2: Cathy
- Part 3: In the Valley
- Part 4: Kate
- Part 5: Departure
- Part 6: The Great Try
- Part 7: East of Eden
The early episodes establish the world and introduce Cathy, while later episodes, including “Kate” (another name for Cathy), “Departure,” and “The Great Try,” appear to follow the consequences of her actions and the ongoing struggles of the Trask sons.
Release Date and Where to Watch
Netflix has confirmed that East of Eden will be released globally on its platform in early 2026. While an exact premiere date has not been announced, industry reports suggest the series could become available sometime between February and April 2026. All seven episodes are expected to be released at the same time, allowing viewers to watch the complete story.
