# Netflix’s East of Eden Actors Share Fear of Steinbeck

> Actors reveal terror of adapting Steinbeck’s classic with Netflix’s East of Eden.
- Title: Netflix’s East of Eden Actors Share Fear of Steinbeck
- Summary: Actors reveal terror of adapting Steinbeck’s classic with Netflix’s East of Eden. Hoon Lee, Joseph Zada, and Joe Anders discuss their fears of…
- Keywords: east of eden, netflix, john steinbeck, hoon lee, joseph zada, joe anders, cal trask, aron trask, florence pugh, christopher abbott, east of eden streaming, steinbeck adaptation
- Source: Collider — https://collider.com/east-of-eden-netflix-hoon-lee-joseph-zada-joe-anders-interview
- Author: Greer Riddell
- Published: 2026-10-09T02:58:12+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: east of eden, netflix, john steinbeck, hoon lee, joseph zada, joe anders, cal trask, aron trask, florence pugh, christopher abbott, east of eden streaming, steinbeck adaptation
## Hoon Lee’s Father Figure Role
Hoon Lee explains why his character becomes a devoted father figure to Cal and Aron despite having no blood ties to them.

> Lee explains why walking away would mean "abandoning these babies into the wilderness."
## Zada and Anders’ Brotherly Bond
Zada and Anders bonded over friendship, competition, and the fear of getting Steinbeck wrong.

> They had "extensive conversations and freak-outs" about trying to do the material justice.
## Lee’s Emotional Responsibility
Lee sees Adam’s devotion to Cathy despite her selfish personality and steps up as a father figure when she leaves.

> The greatest fear that a child has is that he won't be loved. Rejection is the hell that he fears.
## Zada and Anders’ Fear of Misrepresentation
Zada and Anders admitted to being "terrified" about getting John Steinbeck’s story wrong.

> They were "terrified" about getting it wrong.
## Inspired by Pugh and Abbott
Zada and Anders found their characters’ identities without imitating Florence Pugh and Christopher Abbott’s performances.

> It was "unbelievable to be able to share any kind of creative space with either of them."
## Cal’s Family History
Cal carries much of the family’s history within him, while Aron enters the world with a positive outlook.

> Aron’s outlook is "positive and hopeful about the future" and has a "freshness" that remains throughout much of the story.
## Lee’s View on Generational Harmony
Lee credits Ellen Lewis’s team for creating a cohesive group that allows natural generational connections.

> Ellen Lewis’s team created "a cohesive company of personalities."
## East of Eden Streaming
East of Eden is now streaming on Netflix.

> East of Eden is now streaming on Netflix.
## Zada and Anders’ Natural Chemistry
Zada and Anders had a natural relationship when they first met, creating instinctive understanding for their roles.

> They had "a really natural relationship when we first met each other."
## Zada’s Focus on Cal’s Identity
Zada focused on Cal’s unique identity without borrowing too heavily from the previous generation.

> You’re doing your own thing. You’re serving your own text and your own character.
## Aron’s Fresh Perspective
Aron enters the world with a positive outlook and a freshness that remains throughout the story.

> Aron’s outlook is "positive and hopeful about the future" and has a "freshness" that remains throughout much of the story.
## East of Eden’s Authenticity
Zada and Anders created authentic family dynamics by drawing from their real friendship and shared fears.

> The key to the authentic fraternal bond we see between Cal and Aron is that Zada and Anders did not have to manufacture their chemistry.
## Key takeaway

Hoon Lee, Joseph Zada, and Joe Anders discuss their fears of misrepresenting John Steinbeck’s East of Eden while creating authentic family dynamics for Netflix.