Zoe Kazan says Florence Pugh was her only choice for East of Eden
Zoe Kazan had no backup plan for Cathy Ames. The writer says Florence Pugh was the only actor she wanted for the part in Netflix's East of Eden, a seven-episode limited series — meaning a story told in a set number of episodes with a planned ending — adapted by Kazan, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
East of Eden adapts John Steinbeck's novel of the same name. Netflix describes the story as set in the early 1900s, where a fiercely independent woman drives a rift between two brothers across two generations, with Christopher Abbott starring alongside Pugh, according to Netflix's Tudum site.
Kazan told The Hollywood Reporter at the New York premiere that Pugh fitted Steinbeck's description of Cathy as doll-like with something icy or steely underneath. She called Pugh "the exact right person to play Cathy". She added that Pugh's performance in 2019's Midsommar announced a generational talent and described her as a genius.
Kazan serves as writer, co-showrunner — meaning joint creative lead running the series day to day — and executive producer, People reported. Pugh is also an executive producer — meaning she helps shape creative and production decisions as well as acting — and has been involved since she was brought on in 2020.
On the premiere red carpet, Pugh said she felt honoured and could not believe Kazan wanted to cast her. She said collaborating with Kazan and stepping up as a producer boosted her confidence. She called it a massive moment to lead in a different way and the beginning of feeling truly confident.
In an Instagram post, Pugh said Kazan poured her heart and soul into the series. She described Kazan as her protector, work wife, cheerleader and confidence. Pugh also reflected on evolving alongside Cathy in a Skip Intro interview with Krista Smith, Netflix Tudum reported.
Kazan has said Pugh found the humanity inside Cathy without defanging one of literature's most complicated characters, Vanity Fair reported.
What makes this stand out for viewers is the length of that partnership. Six years from casting to premiere, actor and writer-producer built the central role together, and that shared history now reaches the screen in a closed seven-part telling.
