Finally, Netflix’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel East of Eden, starring Florence Pugh, is moving into production after two years since its announcement. According to What’s on Netflix, filming will begin in early Q4 of 2024 (October) in New Zealand and conclude in early Q2 of 2025 (April).
The project is being developed as a limited series, with the script penned by Zoe Kazan, who also serves as an executive producer. Interestingly, the book was previously adapted as a movie by Zoe Kazan’s grandfather, Elia Kazan, back in 1955.
As per Deadline, the ‘East of Eden’ series will paint an intimate portrait of the Trask family against the backdrop of significant historical forces — echoing Steinbeck’s intent to describe “the story of my country and the story of me.”
What is the Plot of East of Eden?
Read the synopsis for East of Eden below:
Set in the rich farmland of the Salinas Valley, California, this often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families – the Trasks and the Hamiltons – whose generations hopelessly re-enact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. Spanning the period between the American Civil War and the end of World War I, the story highlights the conflicts of two generations of brothers; the first being the kind, gentle Adam Trask and his wild brother Charles. Adam eventually marries Cathy Ames, an evil, manipulative, and beautiful prostitute; she betrays him, joining Charles on the very night of their wedding.
Later, after giving birth to twin boys, she shoots Adam and leaves him to return to her former profession. In the shadow of this heritage Adam raises their sons, the fair-haired, winning, yet intractable Aron, and the dark, clever Caleb. This second generation of brothers vie for their father’s approval. In bitterness Caleb reveals the truth about their mother to Aron, who then joins the army and is killed in France.
Back in 2022, in a statement, Zoe Kazan said, “I fell in love with East of Eden when I first read it, in my teens. Since then, adapting Steinbeck’s novel—the great, sprawling, three-generational entirety of it—has been my dream. More than anything, I have wanted to give full expression to the novel’s astonishing, singular antiheroine, Cathy Ames.” Kazan added, “Florence Pugh is our dream Cathy; I can’t imagine a more thrilling actor to bring this character to life. Writing this limited series over the last two years has been the creative high point of my life. I hope that with our partners at Netflix, Anonymous Content, and Endeavor Content, we can do justice to this material — and shed new light on it for a 21st-century audience.”
Anonymous Content and Endeavor Content are co-producing the series in partnership with Netflix.
The release date and episode details for ‘East of Eden’ have not been fixed as of now. However, it is expected to premiere on Netflix in 2025.
Source: Deadline, What’s on Netflix
