Sydney Sweeney's 'The Housemaid' saga isn't over yet as Lionsgate drops huge sequel update
Lionsgate is officially heading back into dangerously domestic territory. Following the strong theatrical performance of 'The Housemaid', the studio has confirmed that a sequel is moving forward, as reported by Variety. The follow-up film will be titled 'The Housemaid's Secret' and will continue the psychological thriller saga that has quickly become one of the studio's most profitable recent releases. The sequel is inspired by the second novel in Freida McFadden's best-selling 'Housemaid' book trilogy. According to Lionsgate, development on the second film has already been underway for several months, with production expected to begin later this year.
Rebecca Sonnenshine, who penned the screenplay for the first adaptation, is returning to write the script. Crucially, 'The Housemaid's Secret' will reunite much of the core creative team that helped turn the first film into a box office hit. Sydney Sweeney is set to reprise her role as Millie, the troubled young woman whose attempt at a fresh start quickly spiraled into a psychological nightmare. Michele Morrone will also return as Enzo, the quiet but key figure whose presence proved vital to Millie's survival. Director Paul Feig is once again stepping behind the camera.
Sweeney's involvement extends beyond her on-screen role. The actor will also serve as an executive producer on the sequel, alongside McFadden herself. That level of commitment reflects the impact 'The Housemaid' has had on Sweeney's already fast-rising career and shows the studio's confidence in expanding the story beyond a single film. Released on December 19, 2025, 'The Housemaid' exceeded expectations at the global box office, pulling in an impressive $133 million to date, according to IGN.
Combined with the enormous popularity of McFadden's novels, which have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, the financial and cultural foundation for a sequel was firmly in place. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson pointed to both ticket sales and fan response as key drivers behind the decision to move forward. In a statement, he revealed, "It's clear from both the global box office and from the outpouring on social media that audiences have responded strongly–and audibly–to the totally unique and truly theatrical experience of 'The Housemaid' and want to know what happens next."
Moreover, Feig noted how rewarding it has been to watch viewers connect with the story and its characters. He added, "We're lucky that Freida McFadden has already extended Millie's journey on the page, and that we get to work with Rebecca Sonnenshine and Lionsgate to bring this next story to audiences." With McFadden's story already mapped out on the page, the creative team has a clear path forward. While Lionsgate has not announced an official release date for 'The Housemaid’s Secret', it's safe to expect a debut sometime in the latter half of next year, assuming production stays on schedule.
