Florence Pugh stars as manipulative antagonist Cathy Ames in Netflix’s seven-part adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, which began streaming globally on October 1, 2026. The series, written and executive-produced by Zoe Kazan, expanded its New Zealand shoot across historical sites in Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula, starting with a traditional Māori pōwhiri welcome.
Florence Pugh Praises New Zealand Welcome
Florence Pugh described the opening welcome as a powerful start to the rigorous shooting schedule when production on the seven-part adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel began in New Zealand with a traditional Māori pōwhiri ceremony, speaking on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
“We started the shooting schedule with this incredible ceremony,” Pugh said.
Florence Pugh, via Tribune
She added that the experience filled everyone immediately with a sense of power and love, calling it a very special way to commence production.
Approximately 150 crew members worked across the sites to transform locations to represent early 20th-century California. Alberton and Highwic in Auckland, along with the Thames School of Mines on the Coromandel Peninsula, served as primary backdrops for the sweeping generational drama.
Historic Sites Host Period Production
Tanya Wilkinson, who leads Heritage New Zealand’s Auckland properties, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that the organization was honored to have its sites selected for the streaming series after the historic 155-year-old A&G Price building on Beach Street in Thames featured prominently in the production, hosting a tense confrontation outside its old foundry entrance.
“We were delighted and honoured that Alberton, Highwic and Thames School of Mines were selected as backdrops for the East of Eden series,” she said.
Tanya Wilkinson, Heritage New Zealand Auckland properties lead, via 1news
Wilkinson praised the professionalism of the visiting film teams, expressing confidence that the production would earn numerous awards.
Zoe Kazan Directs New Netflix Series
Zoe Kazan served as writer, co-showrunner, and executive producer for the Netflix adaptation, taking an approach different from the famous 1955 film directed by her grandfather, Elia Kazan. While the earlier cinematic version focused on a narrow segment of the book, the seven-episode series explores multiple generations of the Trask family and the intricate web surrounding Cathy Ames.
Kazan revealed that Pugh was the only actress she envisioned for the demanding role of Cathy. Pugh, who also took on an executive producer credit, was involved with the project for years as it moved toward production. Hoon Lee stars as Adam’s manservant Lee, while Ciarán Hinds appears as the neighbor Samuel Hamilton, whose finely drawn relationship provides a welcome emotional anchor in the Salinas Valley.
Episodes Stream Worldwide on October 1
Pugh’s wardrobe drew widespread attention for echoing the moral evolution of her character throughout the promotional campaign leading up to the series premiere.
All seven episodes of East of Eden became globally available on Netflix on October 1 following preview screenings in London, Auckland, and New York.