Netflix’s new period drama East of Eden, starring Florence Pugh, is attracting international attention while putting several New Zealand locations in the spotlight. Although the seven-part series is set in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, much of its scenery was filmed across Aotearoa, including Dunedin, Ōamaru, Auckland and Central Otago.
More than 6.5 million viewers streamed the series during its first week on Netflix, introducing international audiences to New Zealand’s historic architecture and distinctive landscapes.
New Zealand Locations Bring John Steinbeck’s East of Eden to Life
Adapted by Zoe Kazan from John Steinbeck’s classic novel, East of Eden follows the troubled relationships between two brothers and a woman whose arrival changes their lives.
Set between the American Civil War and the First World War, the story explores family conflict, jealousy, grief and the influence of personal choices across generations.
Florence Pugh plays Cathy, a complicated central character, alongside Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist as brothers Adam and Charles Trask. The supporting cast includes Hoon Lee, Martha Plimpton and Ciarán Hinds.
Filming took place in New Zealand nearly two years before the series premiered, with production teams transforming local streets, heritage buildings and rural landscapes into historical American settings.
Why Netflix Chose New Zealand for Filming
New Zealand’s scenery and historic architecture were important factors in the production’s location choices.
“The landscape here is so beautiful. We have filmed in locations that I think would have been impossible to find in the United States,” Kazan said in a Netflix promotional trailer.
“I just feel really lucky that we got to film here.”
The New Zealand Screen Production Rebate also provided a financial incentive, offering qualifying international productions a 20% rebate on eligible expenditure incurred in the country.
Dunedin’s Historic Streets Become 1890s Boston
Dunedin features prominently throughout East of Eden, with its Victorian and Edwardian architecture providing convincing settings for historical American cities.
In episode two, Florence Pugh’s character walks along Princes Street, which doubles as a Boston street in 1898.
The Taste Merchants premises on Lower Stuart Street appear as a period dress shop, while Queens Gardens can be seen from Cathy’s apartment window.
Dunedin Railway Station, one of the city’s best-known architectural landmarks, also appears in the series.
The production adds to Dunedin’s growing screen credentials, following earlier Netflix projects such as the romantic comedy The Royal Treatment.
Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct Takes Centre Stage
North Otago’s Ōamaru provides some of the most recognisable New Zealand locations in the series.
The town’s Victorian historic precinct, known for its exceptionally preserved whitestone buildings, was transformed into the fictionalised streets of Salinas, California.
Filming continued in Ōamaru for approximately one week, with extensive preparations required to recreate the appearance of an early 20th-century American town.
Historic Buildings and Streets Transformed for Production
Thousands of cubic metres of lime chip were spread across sealed roads to create the appearance of unsealed period streets.
Several local landmarks feature in the production, including the restored Criterion Hotel and the Ōamaru Steam and Rail Society’s railyard.
Local residents also participated as extras, contributing to the period street scenes.
The production demonstrates how Ōamaru’s preserved architecture can accommodate international historical dramas without requiring extensive reconstruction.
Auckland Heritage Properties Feature in East of Eden
Auckland provided additional locations, particularly in Devonport, where historic villas and tree-lined streets represented residential neighbourhoods in Salinas during the First World War.
Cheltenham was used for both interior and exterior filming.
One Devonport villa was temporarily painted yellow for the production before being returned to its original colour.
A crew of approximately 150 people also filmed at several heritage properties, including Alberton, Highwic and the Thames School of Mines.
Highwic and Alberton provided period interiors, including scenes involving Hoon Lee’s character after his departure from the Trask household.
Central Otago Landscapes Recreate California’s Salinas Valley
Beyond the historic towns, New Zealand’s natural environment plays an important role in the series.
The Hawkdun Ranges in the Maniototo region were used to represent California’s Salinas Valley, with dry hills and expansive landscapes providing the backdrop for the isolated Trask family farm.
Other scenes feature rolling green countryside and distinctive New Zealand vegetation, including large pōhutukawa trees.
These locations highlight the geographical variety available to international productions filming in Aotearoa.
Netflix Success Brings International Attention to New Zealand
The popularity of East of Eden follows another major international production filmed in New Zealand, Heart of the Beast, starring Brad Pitt.
The attention also coincides with Dunedin and Waitaki receiving recognition in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 selections.
Together, these developments reinforce the appeal of Otago’s landscapes, historic towns and cultural attractions to international audiences.
For New Zealand’s screen industry, East of Eden provides another example of the country’s ability to support major international productions through its locations, skilled crews and production infrastructure.
With millions of viewers watching the Netflix drama, Dunedin, Ōamaru and other filming locations are gaining valuable exposure on the global stage, even as the story itself remains firmly rooted in American history.
Alexander Donovan writes for News Collective, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, reliable reporting and useful information, helping readers stay informed about current events, emerging trends, and stories that matter.