Lionsgate has announced the development of a sequel to its 2025 film "The Housemaid," titled "The Housemaid's Secret." Sydney Sweeney is set to reprise her role as Millie Calloway, with Paul Feig returning to direct and Rebecca Sonnenshine adapting the screenplay. The first film, based on Freida McFadden's novel, achieved varying reported box office figures, with its sequel now slated to continue Millie Calloway's narrative in a new domestic setting.
"The Housemaid's Secret" Announced
Lionsgate plans to produce "The Housemaid's Secret," a sequel to the film "The Housemaid." Reports regarding the start of production vary, with one source indicating filming is scheduled to commence in 2024, while another states a 2026 production start.
Production Details and Key Personnel
Sydney Sweeney is expected to return as Millie Calloway and will also serve as an executive producer. Michele Morrone is anticipated to reprise his role as Enzo. Paul Feig, who directed the first film, is projected to direct the sequel, with Rebecca Sonnenshine, the screenwriter for "The Housemaid," adapting the new script. Freida McFadden, author of the source material, will also serve as an executive producer.
Producers for "The Housemaid's Secret" include Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures, Paul Feig, Laura Fischer of Pretty Dangerous Pictures, and Hidden Pictures' Carly Elter and Alex Young. Lionsgate executives Chelsea Kujawa and Maria Ascanio will oversee the film's development, with Robert Melnik handling studio negotiations.
Recapping "The Housemaid" (First Film)
Plot, Cast, and Box Office Performance
"The Housemaid," released in theaters on December 19, 2025, is based on Freida McFadden's 2022 novel. The film features Millie Calloway (Sydney Sweeney), a woman with a history of incarceration, who accepts a live-in housekeeper position for the affluent Winchester family. The household comprises Andrew (Brandon Sklenar) and Nina (Amanda Seyfried).
The narrative explores Millie's observations and discoveries within the household dynamics, revealing secrets. Michele Morrone portrays Enzo, the estate's groundskeeper, and the plot also incorporates themes of power dynamics, unreliable characters, and past trauma.
"The Housemaid" achieved commercial success. The global box office gross for the film has been reported with differing figures:
- Some reports indicate earnings of over $133 million globally, with domestic gross exceeding $75 million.
- Another report states a global gross of $374 million against a reported budget of $35 million.
Amanda Seyfried's EP Credit Explained
Amanda Seyfried, who portrayed Nina Winchester, addressed her executive producer credit for "The Housemaid." She stated that she became aware of the credit three weeks into production via a call sheet. Seyfried described the title as a "vanity credit," indicating that her primary role was acting and that she did not contribute to the film's development in a producing capacity.
Seyfried's character, Nina, is not featured in "The Housemaid's Secret" source material, as the sequel follows Millie Calloway working for a different family. Seyfried has expressed interest in a cameo appearance in the sequel.
Unveiling "The Housemaid's Secret"
Storyline Preview
"The Housemaid's Secret" continues the story of Millie Calloway, drawing from Freida McFadden's 2023 novel. In this installment, Millie accepts a new position with a different wealthy woman who appears to be experiencing marital difficulties. Millie subsequently becomes involved in a complex situation during her efforts to assist her new employer, encountering elements of wealth, control, and undisclosed information.
The narrative explores themes of power, perception, and vulnerability as Millie navigates her new, mysterious domestic setting.
Core Cast and Crew
- Star: Sydney Sweeney (Millie Calloway)
- Actor: Michele Morrone (Enzo)
- Director: Paul Feig
- Screenwriter: Rebecca Sonnenshine
- Executive Producers: Sydney Sweeney, Freida McFadden
The Author Behind the Thrills: Freida McFadden
Best-Selling Novels and Sales Figures
Freida McFadden, a physician who writes under a pseudonym, is the author of "The Housemaid" series. This series includes "The Housemaid" (2022), "The Housemaid's Secret" (2023), and "The Housemaid Is Watching" (2024). McFadden also authored the short story "The Housemaid's Wedding," published in 2025.
Her novels have collectively sold over 12 million units, with "The Housemaid's Secret" accounting for four million of those sales. "The Housemaid's Secret" has been translated into 40 languages, maintained a position on the New York Times bestseller list for 65 weeks, and received the 2023 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Thriller.
Expanding Adaptations of McFadden's Works
Several other book-to-screen adaptations of Freida McFadden's works are in various stages of development:
- Sony is developing a film adaptation of "The Surrogate Mother" (2018 novel).
- Apple Original Films is producing a feature film based on "The Teacher" (2024 novel).
- Amazon is adapting "The Tenant" (2025 thriller).
- "Dear Debbie," scheduled for release, is slated for adaptation into an Amazon TV series.