Florence Pugh calls 'East of Eden' one of her most vulnerable performances
Synopsis
Six years after signing on, Florence Pugh’s passion project ‘East of Eden’ has landed on Netflix — and she says playing Cathy pushed her further than any role before. A heartfelt tribute to Zoe Kazan, an extraordinary crew, and New Zealand makes this one of the most personal actor statements in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Florence Pugh describes 'East of Eden' as one of her “most vulnerable performances” to date.
She first signed onto the project in early 2020 , making it a six-year journey to release.
Pugh plays character Cathy , which she says demanded deep personal and professional evolution.
Writer-filmmaker Zoe Kazan is credited by Pugh as her “protector, work wife, and cheerleader” on the project.
The series was filmed in New Zealand and is now streaming on Netflix .
Hollywood actress Florence Pugh has described her new Netflix series 'East of Eden' as one of the most personally demanding projects of her career, revealing she spent six years bringing the adaptation to screen and calling the role one of her “most vulnerable performances” to date.
Six Years in the Making
Pugh shared a series of behind-the-scenes images on Instagram to mark the show’s release, writing: “East of Eden is finally here and able to watch on your TV’s. This one is a big one for me. I’ve been working on this project for 6 years, I signed on early 2020 and today it’s been released for all of you to enjoy.” She added that the role pushed her to “evolve” in ways she had not anticipated when she first committed to the project.
A Role That Demanded Everything
Pugh plays the character Cathy in the series, and she was candid about the emotional toll of inhabiting the role. “Playing you required me to dig deeper and it demanded every single cell of my body to focus on only you,” she wrote, addressing the character directly. She credited the performance with shaping her as an actor, describing it as “one of my most vulnerable performances and experiences to date.”
Tribute to Zoe Kazan and the Crew
The actress offered particular praise for writer-filmmaker Zoe Kazan, who adapted the series. “Zoe Kazan has poured her heart and soul into this project, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without her. She was my protector, my work wife, my cheerleader, my confidence. She created something so epic we all wanted to work on it,” Pugh wrote. She also extended warm thanks to the crew: “To our extraordinary crew, what a piece of art you created. Thank you.”
New Zealand Leaves a Lasting Impression
Filmed on location in New Zealand, the series clearly left a deep impression on Pugh. “New Zealand, I’m so so in love with you. I will sing your praises forever and ever. What a true honour it was to film there, thank you for your landscapes, food, people, history, love,” she wrote. The choice of New Zealand as a filming destination has drawn attention for its visual scope, with Pugh noting that she still watches the show “marvelling at the craftsmanship across the screen.”
Now Streaming on Netflix
'East of Eden' is now available to stream on Netflix. The series, based on John Steinbeck’s classic novel of the same name, marks a significant milestone for Pugh, who has steadily grown into one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actresses following standout turns in films such as 'Midsommar', 'Little Women', and 'Oppenheimer'. With this long-gestating passion project now public, attention will turn to how audiences and critics respond to what Pugh herself considers a career-defining performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'East of Eden' and where can I watch it?
'East of Eden' is a Netflix series adapted from John Steinbeck’s classic novel of the same name, now available to stream on Netflix. Florence Pugh stars as Cathy, with the series written and adapted by Zoe Kazan.
Why does Florence Pugh consider 'East of Eden' one of her most vulnerable performances?
Pugh says playing the character Cathy required her to ‘dig deeper’ than any previous role and demanded total focus. She described the experience as one that forced her to evolve as an actor over the six years she spent on the project.
How long did Florence Pugh work on 'East of Eden'?
Pugh signed on to the project in early 2020, making it a six-year journey before the series premiered. She called the extended timeline a period of significant personal and professional growth.
Who is Zoe Kazan and what is her role in 'East of Eden'?
Zoe Kazan is the writer and filmmaker behind the 'East of Eden' adaptation. Florence Pugh credited her as the creative force who made the project possible, describing her as her ‘protector, work wife, and cheerleader’.
Where was 'East of Eden' filmed?
The series was filmed on location in New Zealand. Pugh praised the country extensively in her Instagram post, citing its landscapes, people, and culture as integral to the show’s look and feel.
