Netflix’s East of Eden Reframes Steinbeck’s Family Saga

Netflix’s seven-part adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, created by Zoe Kazan, brings more of the multigenerational novel to screen than the 1955 film while shifting attention toward Cathy Ames and Lee, two figures whose roles are expanded in the series. Florence Pugh plays Cathy, and Hoon Lee portrays Lee, the Chinese American cook and caregiver in the Trask household. All seven episodes are available to stream on Netflix. The story follows the Trask family across generations, drawing on the biblical account of Cain and Abel to explore conflict, inheritance and personal choice. It begins with half-brothers Adam and Charles, raised under the influence of their father, Cyrus, whose favoritism deepens their rivalry. As adults, the brothers encounter Cathy, who arrives injured at their home. Adam helps her recover and marries her; later, after she leaves him and their twin sons, Aron and Cal, the family’s divisions continue into the next generation. Kazan’s adaptation retains the novel’s broad family saga but changes its emphasis and point of view. Cathy’s story receives sustained attention, including a childhood episode that gives context to the character’s later actions.