‘East of Eden’ Boss Zoe Kazan on That Devastating Ending, Why Florence Pugh’s Cathy Is Both a ‘Murderer’ and ‘Survivor’ and Making Lee a Central Character

Showrunner Zoe Kazan has released an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden, which is currently available for streaming on Netflix. The production features Florence Pugh in the role of Cathy, a character Kazan characterizes as both a survivor and a murderer. The series also elevates the character of Lee to a central role within the narrative.

Kazan, whose grandfather was involved in the original 1955 film adaptation, has long focused on themes of family legacy. This new iteration explores these multi-generational dynamics while addressing the story's conclusion and the specific motivations behind its primary characters.