Series Description

East of Eden was a 381 minute miniseries on ABC and follows three generations of the turbulent Trask family from the east coast of the United States to the west coast during a time period that covers the Civil War to World War II. A main feature of the series is the outrageous competition between Adam and Charles Trask, two brothers who are reluctantly reunited after the death of their father. When the irresistably beautiful and coniving ex-prostitute Kate Ames enters their lives, things only get worse between the brothers ... much worse!

East of Eden Miniseries Cast

Timothy Bottoms .... Adam Trask
Bruce Boxleitner .... Charles Trask
Jane Seymour .... Cathy "Kate" Ames
Warren Oates .... Cyrus Trask
Lloyd Bridges .... Samuel Hamilton
Howard Duff .... Jules Edwards
Anne Baxter .... Faye
M. Emmet Walsh .... Sheriff Horace Quinn
Richard Masur .... Will Hamilton
Nicholas Pryor .... James Grew
Nellie Bellflower .... Mrs. Trask
Hart Bochner .... Aron Trask
Sam Bottoms .... Cal Trask
Vernon Weddle .... Bill Ames
Grace Zabriskie .... Mrs. Ames
Matthew 'Stymie' Beard .... Cotton Eye
Wendell Burton .... Tom Hamilton
Soon-Tek Oh .... Lee
Karen Allen .... Abra
Timothy Carey .... Preacher

Trivia:

This East of Eden Miniseries was based on Nobel prize winner John Steinbeck's best-selling novel also titled East of Eden.

The East of Eden Miniseries was broadcast over three nights; February 8, 9 & 11 in 1981.

Steinbeck drew from the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis as a basis for East of Eden. The influence of the estranged relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis is easy to see in this miniseries.

Steinbeck also considered East of Eden to be his most perfect novel.

There was also a 1955 East of Eden theatrical movie starring James Dean, Burl Ives, Raymond Massey and Julie Harris.

The East of Eden miniseries won an Emmy in 1981 for "Outstanding Art Direction for a Limited Series or a Special" beating out "Masada", "Shogun", "Marilyn: The Untold Story" and "Playing For Time" for the coveted award!

It also won two Golden Globes in 1982 for "Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV" and "Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV (Jane Seymour)".

Richard Chamblerlain is often referred to as the King of the miniseries due to his many roles in that genre but Jane Seymour should probably be called the Queen of the miniseries. She has appeared in "The Strauss Family" (1972), "Our Mutual Friend" (1976), "Captains and the Kings" (1976), "Seventh Avenue" (1977), "The Awakening Land" (1978), "East of Eden" (1981), "Crossings" (1986) and "War and Remembrance" (1989)!