Zoe Kazan, writer of the upcoming Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck's "East of Eden," purposely steered clear of her grandfather Elia Kazan's 1955 film version during her writing process. She wanted to avoid its influence on her own seven-part series, which premieres on October 1. Kazan began working on her script in 2020 and only watched the original film once it was finalized, during a flight to New Zealand for location scouting.
Upon rewatching the 1955 film, Kazan felt a sense of relief, realizing it was a much looser adaptation of the novel than she remembered. She noted that the film, which famously introduced James Dean, covers only the last third of the book, omits crucial characters, and is less faithful to the source material than she had anticipated. This confirmed her decision to create a new adaptation that would encompass the entire multi-generational saga.
Kazan's adaptation aims for a more complete and faithful rendition of Steinbeck's novel, which she describes as being about inheritance, legacy, and self-liberation. Her series will cover the entire narrative, including characters and themes that were either marginalized or omitted from the 1955 film, such as Cathy (played by Florence Pugh) and Lee (played by Hoon Lee). The project, which filmed in New Zealand due to budget constraints, explores the core question of whether individuals can escape their family's past and forge their own destinies, mirroring the novel's broader commentary on America's history.
Kazan acknowledges the irony of adapting a work famously directed by her grandfather, recognizing the parallel between her own experience and the characters in "East of Eden" who grapple with a burdensome family legacy. She started writing the script in 2020 after being inspired by Florence Pugh's performance in "Midsommar," and Pugh quickly agreed to play Cathy Ames. Filming concluded in April 2025, approximately six years after Kazan began working on the script.
