10 Shows Like 'East of Eden' You Should Watch Next
Discover 6 epic family drama and period series like The House of the Spirits, War and Peace, and Pachinko to stream after East of Eden.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Netflix's adaptation of East of Eden led by Florence Pugh has become a massive hit.
- This curated list highlights epic family dramas with sweeping historical backdrops.
- Recommended shows include The House of the Spirits, War and Peace, and Pachinko.
- Perfect for viewers who love generational conflicts and rich storytelling.
Following the massive success of Netflix's East of Eden adaptation—led by Florence Pugh and created by Zoe Kazan, chronicling decades in the lives of two California families leading up to World War I—audiences are eagerly seeking out similar grand-scale historical dramas.
Generational influences shape the core of many classic narratives, brilliantly captured in Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits. Told from the perspective of Alba (Rochi Hernández) and exploring four generations through the journals of her grandmother Clara (Dolores Fonzi), the story draws from Chile's real history of political upheaval. You can stream it on Prime Video.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Another monumental adaptation is War and Peace, beginning in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. It follows Pierre (Paul Dano), an idealistic illegitimate son; Natasha (Lily James), a passionate dancer; and Andrei (James Norton), a noble soul destined for war, as tragedy intertwines their lives. Stream it on Peacock and Prime Video.
Adapting sprawling literary classics into premium television allows creators to blend intimate character studies with massive historical events, making complex socio-political eras much more relatable to contemporary audiences through personal family struggles.
Pachinko starts in 1915, following Sunja (played by Youn Yuh-jung and Kim Min-ha) as she leaves Busan for Japan amid wartime anti-immigrant sentiment, paired with a parallel narrative in 1989 reflecting on her family's enduring journey. Stream Pachinko on Apple TV.
Other notable recommendations include the 2002 miniseries The Forsyte Saga starring Damian Lewis on Netflix, the Baeksang Arts Awards-winning Korean hit When Life Gives You Tangerines starring IU and Park Bo-gum on Jeju Island, and Elizabeth Gaskell's 1851 novel adaptation North & South on Prime Video and Tubi.
Source: Lifehacker
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