5 TV Shows To Watch If You Like East Of Eden

The new Netflix miniseries “East of Eden,” adapted from John Steinbeck’s classic 1952 novel of the same title, has been met with positive reception since its debut on Netflix on October 1. And for good reason, too: The show is a riveting psychological drama that takes viewers through decades of American history. From the post-Civil War period of the 1870s to the chaotic WWI days of the 1910s, the nation undergoes colossal change throughout “East of Eden,” and viewers get to watch as the characters subtly evolve along with it.

“East of Eden” is only seven episodes long — a tragedy given how much material the 500+ page novel gives the series to work with — but luckily it’s not the only show of its sort. If you’re looking for a meaty historical drama, one where you can really feel the weight of the changing times on all the characters, these are five other TV shows definitely worth checking out. These should tide you over until AMC finally gets around to adapting Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.”

War & Peace (2016)

Just as “East of Eden” was John Steinbeck’s most ambitious novel, “War & Peace” was Leo Tolstoy’s. Although not set in America, “War & Peace” took readers through the transformative period in Russian history of 1805 to 1820. While the war against Napoleon rages in the background, the book’s large cast of complicated characters deal with juicy romantic struggles and existential angst.

The 2016 BBC One adaptation, a six-part miniseries, does a great job adapting the massive novel in its limited time. Although the exact plot of “War & Peace” isn’t that similar to “East of Eden,” both shows feature great performances, a unique historical setting, and a compelling cast of messy characters.

There are a lot of parallels, particularly between Pierre (Paul Dano) in “War & Peace” and Adam (played by Christopher Abbott) in “East of Eden.” Both are passive main characters who luck into a large inheritance early on, and they both rush their way into a marriage that does not end well for them. Both shows have some interesting things to say about how much havoc a poor marriage match can wreak on the families involved.

Pachinko (2022-2024)

Another adaptation of an epic historical novel, “Pachinko” takes viewers from 1910s South Korea to 1980s Japan. With its non-linear timeline, this is a series where you can really feel the sheer scale of societal change happening around all the characters.

As for the cast itself: “Pachinko” follows three generations of the same family, and (like the three generations of the Trask family in “East of Eden”) each age group’s struggles parallel those of the one before them. Generational trauma, it turns out, knows no borders.

“Pachinko” is one of only two non-miniseries on this list, but it’s short enough that it’s not too big of a commitment. The series may technically be unfinished (its third season is currently held in limbo by Apple TV), but its first two seasons are so great it’s worth the watch anyway.

The Deuce (2017-2019)

The first American historical drama on this list, “The Deuce” is a fun show for anyone who finds Cathy’s (Florence Pugh’s) brothel storyline in “East of Eden” particularly interesting. While the HBO show’s standout character Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) doesn’t do anything particularly evil, she does enjoy a similar rise in power, climbing an unconventional ladder to wealth with little concern for what the men in her life think.

Just as Pugh steals the show in a miniseries that is technically an ensemble story, Gyllenhaal is clearly the standout of “The Deuce.” The show, which is already great without her, ramps up another notch in quality whenever Candy’s on screen.

“The Deuce” is also fascinating in how it shows New York City’s evolution from 1971 to 1985. NYC (and America as a whole) changes a lot throughout that period, and it changes in a way that is thoughtfully reflected in all the characters’ journeys. “The Deuce” is the longest show on this list, at three seasons and 25 episodes total, but it’s definitely worth the commitment.

Mildred Pierce (2011)

Just like “East of Eden,” the 2011 “Mildred Pierce” miniseries is a must-watch for those interested in the history of California. The five-episode show takes place in Glendale, California from 1931 to 1940, following a mother named Mildred (played by Kate Winslet in this adaptation) who struggles to financially support herself and deal with her increasingly troublesome daughter Veda (Evan Rachel Wood).

Both Mildred and (especially) Veda share some tropes with Cathy from “East of Eden,” particularly regarding their ambition and their seeming lack of regard for conventional morals. “Mildred Pierce” is a gripping psychological drama set in California shortly after the time period where “East of Eden” leaves off; it’s definitely worth the watch.

The miniseries also drew the praises of horror novelist Stephen King, who lauded Kate Winslet’s lead performance in his review for Newsweek. “Winslet’s Mildred is a genuine star turn,” he wrote. “How Joan Crawford would have loathed her.”

Bleak House (2005)

Whereas “East of Eden” is John Steinbeck’s boldest work, “Bleak House” is Charles Dickens’. It’s his longest novel at over 800 pages, so it makes sense that it’s the longest miniseries on this list at 15 episodes. The 2005 BBC series is a thrilling, complex drama that deals with similar issues of inheritance and societal decay; the main difference is that Netflix’s “East of Eden” is set in sunny California while “Bleak House” stays in cold, foggy London.

“Bleak House” was a huge success, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards. Perhaps the best part of the show was Gillian Anderson’s performance as Lady Dedlock, a performance so gripping it rivals Florence Pugh’s star role as Cathy.

The key to this show’s success is that, just like the “East of Eden” showrunner, the “Bleak House” creators understood that Dickens was considered a populist writer in his time. His goal was not literary prestige but to consistently entertain a wide audience, and that’s exactly the approach the BBC adaptation takes. As thematically rich as the adaptations of “East of Eden” and “Bleak House” are, they’re both, at their core, fast-paced thrillers filled with salacious twists and turns. Both shows hook you in hard from the first episode and never slow down.