East of Eden: Book vs. Netflix Series
Here Are All the Big Differences Between the ‘East of Eden’ Book and the Netflix Series
The new series starring Florence Pugh reinterprets John Steinbeck's novel.
Di Chiara Giovannini
Published: Oct 5, 2026
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Watch: East of Eden trailer (Netflix)
Adapting 'East of Eden'
Adapting East of Eden is no simple task. John Steinbeck's novel, published in 1952, is an epic family saga of over six hundred pages that spans generations, intertwines the stories of the Trask and Hamilton families, and centers around Cathy Ames—one of American literature's most controversial female characters. Bringing it to the screen required some difficult choices, which Zoe Kazan made with her seven-episode Netflix series.
The series aims not to be a direct copy of the book. Kazan explained that while she remained true to Steinbeck's text, she also wanted "to open up" the characters and their stories to explore them more deeply. This resulted in an adaptation that maintains the novel's core while altering perspective, narrative scope, and character emphasis.
Cathy: More Than Just a Villain
One of the most notable differences between the book and series is how Cathy Ames is portrayed. In the novel, Steinbeck crafts her as nearly demonic—the embodiment of evil—a woman capable of manipulating and harming anyone around her.
However, in the series, Florence Pugh does not simply play a villain. The show dedicates significant time to understanding Cathy's origins and motivations. Although it retains all her darkest actions, the series explores how her experiences, relationships, and societal pressures contributed to shaping her. This approach doesn't absolve Cathy of her guilt but provides a more nuanced perspective on her character.
The Hamiltons: A Smaller Role
If you were a fan of the Hamilton family in the novel, prepare for a shift in focus. In Steinbeck's book, they are one of two main cores of the family saga (the other being the Trasks). However, in the series, Samuel Hamilton (played by Ciarán Hinds) remains prominent, while his wife Liza and their nine children have reduced roles. Their personal stories and relationships within the family are largely sacrificed to center the narrative on the Trask and Cathy's storylines.