Netflix has released the official trailer for East of Eden, its new series based on John Steinbeck’s famous novel. The seven episode limited series has been adapted by Zoe Kazan and features Florence Pugh in the lead role as Cathy Ames. The series will begin streaming globally on Netflix on October 1.
The story follows Cathy Ames and the Trask family as their lives become connected over several years. Florence Pugh plays Cathy, while Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist play brothers Adam Trask and Charles Trask. The story is set around California’s Salinas Valley and looks at relationships, family history, personal choices and the struggle between good and evil.
The trailer gives viewers a look at the complicated relationship between the characters. Tensions are already visible between the two brothers, with Charles warning Adam, “A girl like that doesn‘t just fall out of the sky.“ The line hints that Cathy’s arrival will have a major effect on the Trask family.
The series also features several other important characters. Ciarán Hinds plays Samuel Hamilton, an Irishman who moves to California and raises his family there. Hoon Lee plays Lee, a Chinese American character known for his intelligence and ability to care for others. Martha Plimpton appears as Faye, a brothel owner whose kindness may eventually create problems for her.
East of Eden explores how events from one generation can affect the people who come after them. The story follows the Trask and Hamilton families across several decades, making the family relationships an important part of the series. Netflix describes the adaptation as an exploration of how a family’s history can influence an individual’s present life.
The series has a notable family connection behind the scenes. Zoe Kazan’s grandfather was filmmaker Elia Kazan, who directed the 1955 film version of East of Eden starring James Dean. The new series takes a much broader approach to Steinbeck’s novel and explores more of its characters and story.
The 1955 film became one of James Dean’s best known performances, but the Netflix series is expected to cover a much larger portion of Steinbeck’s story. The new adaptation focuses particularly on Cathy Ames and the different generations of the Trask family.
East of Eden also stars Tracy Letts, Joseph Zada and Joe Anders. Garth Davis directed Episodes 1 through 4, while Laure de Clermont Tonnerre directed Episodes 5 through 7. Zoe Kazan serves as writer and executive producer, with Jeb Stuart as co showrunner.
All seven episodes of East of Eden will be available globally on Netflix on October 1, giving viewers a new screen adaptation of Steinbeck’s 1952 novel.
