Florence Pugh’s Stunning New Photos Arrive as Critics Praise ‘East of Eden’

Florence Pugh’s ‘East of Eden’ rollout has been a masterclass in keeping the conversation going. Over the past few weeks, the actress has appeared in a striking black-and-white Tudum Magazine cover shoot and a dreamy mirror-filled series by Emilio Madrid. Now, a fresh set of Florence Pugh portraits is adding a softer, more romantic chapter to the campaign.

The timing lines up with a wave of critical attention. The Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel follows 2 interconnected families from the aftermath of the Civil War to the start of World War I, with Pugh starring as Cathy Ames, the mysterious woman who marries into the Trask family.

On October 3, several outlets shared images of Pugh photographed by Sophia Spring for The Los Angeles Times. In the first portrait, she poses with one hand raised near her face, wearing an intricate cream lace dress with ruffled sleeves and a slim belt at the waist.

The second image is an intimate close-up. Her tousled blonde waves frame her face as she gazes directly into the camera, with the lace detailing just visible at the bottom of the frame.

Against a muted green backdrop, the photos feel timeless and understated. It’s a noticeable contrast to the dramatic gowns and sculptural headpieces that have defined much of her recent press.

Florence Pugh photographed by Sophia Spring for The Los Angeles Times. https://t.co/2fIyfInpqL
— JumpTrailers (@JumpTrailers) October 3, 2026

The shoot arrives as reviews continue to pour in. As of MovieWeb’s latest count, ‘East of Eden’ holds an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 26 reviews, with critics praising both the fresh take on the source material and Pugh’s performance.

The Daily Beast’s Nick Schager was among the most enthusiastic, calling the series a superlative adaptation anchored by a cunning, complex, and captivating performance from Pugh. Gold Derby’s review roundup highlighted similar praise, with critics describing her work as commanding and impressive.

Florence Pugh, Mike Faist and Christopher Abbott photographed by Sophia Spring for The Los Angeles Times. pic.twitter.com/uh2o2vtIaH
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 1, 2026

Interestingly, the Los Angeles Times’ own critic, Robert Lloyd, was less taken with the series overall. Even so, he praised the performances and named Pugh the main reason to watch, also singling out Hoon Lee.

Pugh has been candid about her connection to the role. Speaking with Netflix’s Tudum, she explained that when she first read the script in 2020, she was already thinking about roles that would help her grow and better her craft, and that the project arrived through an email invite from writer and executive producer Zoe Kazan.

She has also described herself as fiercely opinionated about the characters she plays, saying she will argue in defense of her character on set. With Cathy, she wanted to understand her so completely that she could defend her in any fight.

First trailer for ‘EAST OF EDEN’, starring Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, and Mike Faist.

The series follows the intertwined destinies of the Trask and Hamilton families in California's Salinas Valley.

Releasing October 1 on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/QFThlLKvs2
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 2, 2026

That dedication mirrors the show’s broader approach. Rather than presenting Cathy as pure evil, Pugh and the team set out to explore where her darkness came from. Pugh, now 30, also served as an executive producer on the series.