East of Eden, a new adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel led by Florence Pugh, lands on Netflix on October 1, 2026. The seven episodes of this limited series will be released simultaneously worldwide.
Created and written by Zoe Kazan, the series revisits John Steinbeck's 1952 family saga, placing Cathy Ames at the center. Florence Pugh stars as this independent woman, whose arrival destabilizes the bond between brothers Adam and Charles Trask, played by Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist respectively.
Set in early 20th‑century California, the story tracks the Trask family across decades and two generations. Cathy’s path crosses with Adam and Charles, then with Cal and Aron, Adam’s sons. Through their choices and clashes, the narrative explores family legacy, guilt, and the possibility of escaping the sins of the past.
Joining Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist, the cast includes Hoon Lee as Lee, Tracy Letts as Cyrus Trask, Martha Plimpton as Faye, and Ciarán Hinds as Samuel Hamilton. Joseph Zada and Joe Anders play Cal and Aron Trask.
Zoe Kazan also serves as executive producer and co-showrunner with Jeb Stuart. Garth Davis, the director of Lion, handles the first four episodes, while French filmmaker Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre directs the final three.
This new version thus takes the form of a limited series, allowing the novel’s multigenerational scope to unfold and to trace the Trask family across several decades.
To go further, also check out our selection of Netflix's October new releases, our guide to streaming releases across all platforms, and today’s pick What to watch on streaming today.
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