‘East of Eden’ Star Florence Pugh Dons Lace in Latest Los Angeles Times Shoot

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
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Florence Pugh’s recent photoshoot has become a standout feature of the ‘East of Eden’ promotional campaign. In the past few weeks, the actor has graced the cover of Tudum Magazine in a striking black-and-white shoot and participated in a whimsical, mirror-filled series captured by Emilio Madrid. Each new set of images has sparked ongoing discussions about Netflix’s adaptation of Steinbeck’s classic.

The timing is perfect, as the limited series debuted on Netflix on October 1, with all seven episodes available for streaming. It brings to life John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel, which chronicles the lives of two intertwined families from the aftermath of the Civil War through the onset of World War I. Zoe Kazan serves as the writer and executive producer.

Recently, a softer chapter emerged with images of Pugh taken by Sophia Spring for The Los Angeles Times, shared on October 3. In one portrait, she elegantly poses with one hand near her face, adorned in a delicate cream lace dress featuring ruffled sleeves and a fitted waist.

The second image offers an intimate close-up, showcasing her tousled blonde waves framing her face as she gazes directly into the camera, with the lace subtly visible at the bottom of the frame. Set against a muted green backdrop, these portraits exude a timeless quality, contrasting sharply with the dramatic gowns and sculptural headpieces that have characterized much of her recent publicity.

Spring also captured Pugh alongside co-stars Mike Faist and Christopher Abbott for the publication, with those images released on October 1. Abbott portrays Adam Trask, while Faist takes on the role of his brother Charles, with Pugh leading the series as Cathy Ames, the woman who disrupts both their lives.

The ensemble cast is impressive, featuring Joseph Zada, Joe Anders, Hoon Lee, Tracy Letts, Martha Plimpton, and Ciarán Hinds. Garth Davis directed the first four episodes, while Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre took over for the final three.

Kazan has noted that casting Charles depended on finding Adam first, as the brothers are meant to contrast each other. Once Abbott was cast, Faist quickly became her top choice. Pugh has described Abbott as an ideal scene partner, calling their work together mesmerizing.

Pugh was first connected to the project in 2022, making the journey to this release feel well-deserved. Critics have responded positively, with The Daily Beast’s Nick Schager praising the series as an outstanding adaptation, highlighting Pugh’s layered and captivating performance. Gold Derby’s review roundup echoed this sentiment, placing the show in the 80s on Rotten Tomatoes and giving it a 79 rating on Metacritic.

However, not all reviews have been glowing. Los Angeles Times critic Robert Lloyd expressed reservations about the series, describing its palette as dreary and noting the production values reflect a certain economy. Nevertheless, he acknowledged Pugh as the main reason to watch and highlighted Hoon Lee, adding an ironic twist to the paper’s portraits.

Pugh has been candid about the significance of her role. After reading the script in 2020, she sought roles that would challenge her growth, and Kazan’s invitation to collaborate was pivotal. As she shared with Netflix’s Tudum, “An element that I’ve come to really appreciate was Zoe inviting me to create this with her.”

Now at 30, Pugh also served as an executive producer on the series. She has expressed strong opinions about her characters, willing to advocate for them on set. With Cathy, her goal was to understand the character deeply enough to defend her in any argument.

In a Collider interview, Pugh noted that the show gives Cathy’s trauma the weight it deserves, helping audiences comprehend her actions without justifying them. This aligns with the team’s broader aim to explore the origins of Cathy’s darkness rather than merely portraying her as evil.

With the ongoing promotional efforts and positive early reviews, Pugh’s moment in ‘East of Eden’ shows no signs of waning. The lace-clad portraits in The Los Angeles Times serve as further evidence that both the series and its lead are at the forefront of attention.

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