When Zoe Kazan signed on to adapt John Steinbeck's East of Eden for Netflix, she knew she was stepping into a legacy that was deeply personal. Her grandfather, Elia Kazan, directed the 1955 film adaptation, a Hollywood classic that starred James Dean. For years, that connection made the project feel daunting.
"It was actually a deterrent at first," Kazan admitted in a recent interview. "I thought, 'How do I do this without stepping on my grandfather's work?' But the more I read the novel, the more I realized I had my own connection to it." That connection, she explained, was rooted in the book's exploration of family, choice, and the weight of inheritance—themes that resonate across generations.
Kazan, alongside co-writer Jeb Stuart (Die Hard), has crafted a seven-episode limited series that premieres October 1 on Netflix. The adaptation centers on Cathy Ames, played by Florence Pugh, who also serves as an executive producer. In Steinbeck's novel, Cathy is described as a "psychic monster" with a "malformed soul," but Kazan and Stuart wanted to dig deeper.
"We're not excusing her actions," Kazan clarified. "But we're asking why she became who she is. Steinbeck himself started to question his own characterization of Cathy as the book progressed. He wrote, 'I've described her as a monster, but now I begin to wonder if it is true.' That nuance is what we wanted to explore."
The series format was essential to that exploration. "A feature film just wouldn't have given us the space," Kazan said. "The intergenerational aspect of the story needs room to breathe. You have to see how one generation's choices ripple into the next." Stuart agreed, noting that a film tends to maintain a single tone, while a series can shift and evolve. "Each episode feels like reading a different chapter," he said.
Kazan also brought a new perspective to the material this time around. She first read East of Eden at 15, but now, as a mother, she sees the story through different eyes. "Motherhood changed how I connected with the characters," she shared. "I understand the weight of parental choices in a way I couldn't before."
The series also stars Christopher Abbott as Adam Trask, Mike Faist as Charles, and newcomers Joseph Zada and Joe Anders as Cal and Aron. The story follows the brothers' rivalry, which echoes in the next generation as Cal and Aron compete for their father's love while grappling with their mother's abandonment.
For Kazan, this adaptation is not just a retelling but a reexamination. "I hope viewers see Cathy as human," she said. "She's complicated, mysterious, and ultimately a product of her circumstances. That's what makes her so fascinating."
As for her grandfather's legacy, Kazan has made peace with it. "He made a classic for a reason," she said. "But this is my version, my reading of the book. I think he would appreciate that."
For more on Netflix's upcoming slate, check out Netflix's October 2026 lineup and Florence Pugh's take on Cathy Ames.
