Mike Faist Returns to Screen in Netflix's 'East of Eden' After Two-Year Hiatus
After a two-year hiatus, Mike Faist, the actor from Ohio known for his portrayal of Connor Murphy in Broadway's 'Dear Evan Hansen' and Riff in Spielberg's 2021 'West Side Story,' is making a comeback with the 2024 release of Luca Guadagnino's 'Challengers.' In a CULTURED interview from September 2026, Faist shared insights about his role as Charles Trask in Netflix's adaptation of Steinbeck's 1952 work, 'East of Eden,' which is directed by Zoe Kazan. The series features Christopher Abbott as Adam and Florence Pugh as Cathy Ames, who also serves as a producer. Faist reflected on the intense summer surrounding 'Challengers' and expressed a longing to return to the theater after nearly a decade.
Key facts
- Mike Faist returns to acting after a two-year hiatus in Netflix's 'East of Eden' miniseries.
- He plays Charles Trask, brother of Christopher Abbott's Adam and lover of Florence Pugh's Cathy Ames.
- The series is directed by Zoe Kazan, granddaughter of Elia Kazan, who directed the 1955 film adaptation.
- It is based on John Steinbeck's 1952 novel 'East of Eden.'
- Faist previously starred in 'Challengers' (2024) and 'The Bikeriders' (2024).
- He originated the role of Connor Murphy in 'Dear Evan Hansen' on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination and a Grammy.
- He played Riff in Steven Spielberg's 2021 'West Side Story' remake.
- Faist said he would love to return to theater, having not been on an American stage in close to 10 years.
Entities
Artists
- Mike Faist
- Luca Guadagnino
- Zendaya
- Josh O'Connor
- Steven Spielberg
- Jonathan Anderson
- Jeff Nichols
- Zoe Kazan
- Elia Kazan
- James Dean
- Christopher Abbott
- Florence Pugh
- John Steinbeck
- Tony Kushner
- John Guare
- Paul Dano
- Gene Kelly
- Ruvèn Afanador
Institutions
- Netflix
- Fifth Season
- Loewe
- Met Gala
- Lincoln Center
- CULTURED
- AnOther
- Dear Evan Hansen
- West Side Story
- Challengers
- The Bikeriders
- East of Eden
- House of Blue Leaves
Locations
- Ohio
- New York
- United States