East of Eden Limited Series, Starring Florence Pugh and Mike Faist, a Go at Netflix

More than two years after Netflix’s take on East of Eden first went into development, the streamer has officially ordered a limited-series adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel.

Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (Little Women), who was reportedly attached to the project when it was initially in the works in 2022, is now confirmed to star in the seven-episode series as Cathy Ames; per the official logline, Netflix’s adaptation will focus “new attention” on “indelible antihero” Cathy as it explores the multigenerational saga of the Trask family.

Pugh will be joined by Christopher Abbott (Catch-22) as Adam Trask; Mike Faist (Challengers) as Charles, Adam’s brother; and Hoon Lee (Warrior) as Adam’s servant and friend Lee.

Behind the camera, Zoe Kazan — whose grandfather Elia Kazan directed the 1955 film adaptation of East of Eden, starring James Dean — will serve as writer, executive producer and co-showrunner with Jeb Stuart. Pugh will also exec-produce.

“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,” Zoe said in a statement on Thursday. “But it is Steinbeck’s writing — personal, shocking, profound and free — that has kept me enthralled to East of Eden since I first read the book as a young teen. Working on this has been the greatest joy, and I am thrilled by the cast and crew we are assembling — and deeply grateful to Netflix, Fifth Season & Anonymous Content for their support.”

East of Eden was first published in 1952 and has been adapted more than once over the years. Aside from Elia’s Oscar-winning film, ABC took the miniseries approach with East of Eden in 1981, and the novel has been adapted for the stage a number of times.