On June 21, Deadline reported that the miniseries has locked Pugh to play the story's main antagonist Cathy Ames. Speaking with the outlet, Kazan opened up about what makes Pugh the perfect choice to bring Ames's layered character to life. "I fell in love with 'East of Eden' when I first read it in my teens. Since then, adapting Steinbeck's novel — the great, sprawling, three-generational entirety of it — has been my dream," the "Wildlife" writer said. "More than anything, I have wanted to give full expression to the novel's astonishing, singular antiheroine, Cathy Ames. Florence Pugh is our dream Cathy; I can't imagine a more thrilling actor to bring this character to life."
The Oscar-nominated "Midsommar" actress previously injected much-needed dimension into the complex March sister, Amy, in Greta Gerwig's "Little Women," making her a fitting candidate for the upcoming miniseries.
So far, only Pugh has been confirmed as a cast member for the project. More details will follow as the miniseries rolls into the production phase.