From People We Meet on Vacation to Little House on the Prairie, Netflix has already delivered a stellar line-up of book-to-screen adaptations this year – but I’m convinced the best is still to come.
This autumn marks the expected arrival of two highly anticipated classics: Dolly Alderton’s interpretation of Pride and Prejudice and the long-awaited adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 family saga, East of Eden – which looks unmissable.
© AFP via Getty ImagesFlorence Pugh takes the lead as antihero Cathy Ames in this seven-part adaptation. The series follows the multigenerational saga of the Trask family, capturing their lives as farmers in California’s Salinas Valley during the early 20th century. At the heart of the story is Cathy and her complex, intertwining relationships with the Trask men – most notably Adam (Christopher Abbott) and Charles (Mike Faist).
Written and executive produced by Zoe Kazan (The Plot Against America, The Deuce), this project has been four years in the making – so it’s safe to say expectations are high.
Keep reading to find out all we know so far.
What is East of Eden about?
Bookended by the American Civil War and World War I, the series traces the lives of Cathy and the Trask family.
“Over the years, their 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,” reads the Tudum synopsis.
“It’s a portrait of one family, but also of a society that is rapidly changing, in which men and women must navigate difficult decisions, and come face-to-face with the reality that, ultimately, you are what you choose.”
Steinbeck’s 1952 novel retells the biblical tale of Cain and Abel, who represent good and evil.
In the book, Cathy is a manipulative woman who weaponises her intelligence and beauty. She seduces Adam, marries him and then abandons him after giving birth to two sons.
Who stars in East of Eden?
Florence Pugh (The Wonder, Lady Macbeth) leads the cast as Cathy Ames.
She’s joined by Christopher Abbott (Poor Things, Entergalactic) as Adam Trask and Mike Faist (Challengers, West Side Story) as Charles Trask.
Other cast members include Hoon Lee (Warrior, Your Friends and Neighbors) as Lee, Tracy Letts (A House of Dynamite) as Cyrus Trask, Martha Plimpton (The Regime, Task) as Faye, Ciarán Hinds (Belfast, Game of Thrones) as Samuel Hamilton, Joseph Zada (We Were Liars, Invisible Boys) as Cal Trask and Joe Anders (I Am Ruth) as Aron Trask.
When will East of Eden be released on Netflix?
All seven episodes will premiere on Netflix this autumn, with a release date yet to be announced.
