Netflix has ordered its limited series adaptation of East of Eden to a seven episode series and set Mike Faist and Hoon Lee to join Christopher Abbott and Florence Pugh in the all-star ensemble. Zoe Kazan is writing and exec producing and Pugh is also on board to co-produce.
Deadline was first to report the streamer landing the package in 2022 following a competitive bidding war. Anonymous Content and Fifth Season are co-producing the series. Garth Davis will direct episodes 1-4 and serve as an executive producer. Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre will also direct episodes. Antoine Douiahy will serve as exec producer.
“Zoe’s thoughtful and artistic vision pays homage to her grandfather’s revered film adaptation while beautifully honoring and introducing new audiences to a true canon of American literature. She is an inspiring, creative force and we can not wait for everyone to see what she and Jeb, alongside the brilliant cast led by Florence Pugh, bring to screen,” said Peter Friedlander, Vice President, Scripted Series.
The novel was previously adapted as a film in 1955 with Zoe’s grandfather, Elia Kazan, directing for Warner Bros. The film was also notable for being James Dean’s first major screen role, which Faist will play in this version.
The limited series adaptation will explore the novel’s themes of trauma and repair; love and betrayal; duty and free will. The series will sketch an intimate portrait of the Trask family against the backdrop of huge historical forces — or, as Steinbeck put it, “the story of my country and the story of me.”
“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. 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,” said Kazan.
