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Lionsgate is officially back on Millie’s dangerous trajectory. Following strong box office sales and great audience buzz, the studio has greenlit a sequel to The Housemaid, with Sidney Sweeney and director Paul Feig set to return.
The sequel, an adaptation of the second novel in Frieda McFadden’s best-selling thriller trilogy (also titled The Housemaid’s Secret), has been in secret development for several months. Lionsgate is aiming to begin production later this year, signaling a rapid turnaround after the first film’s blockbuster theatrical run.
Deadline reports that The Housemaid grossed more than $133 million worldwide in its first two-and-a-half weeks of release, including $75.7 million in the U.S. against a budget of $35 million. In the R-rated thriller, Sweeney plays Millie, a young woman trying to move on from her past after taking a job as a live-in maid for a wealthy couple with a dark secret, and Michelle Morrone also reprises her role as groundskeeper Enzo, who becomes an unexpected ally.
Lionsgate Film Group Chairman Adam Fogelson noted that both box office momentum and social media buzz were the main driving forces behind the green light. “It’s clear from the global box office and outpouring of response on social media that audiences have responded strongly to the completely unique and truly theatrical experience of ‘The Housemaid’ and are eager to find out what happens next,” he said.
Fogelson added that the studio is keen to continue working with the creative team to bring what he described as another “very thrilling” installment of McFadden’s series to the screen.
Also Check Out – ‘The Housemaid’ Review: Amanda Seyfried and Sidney Sweeney Star in Thriller with a Twist
Creative team back behind the camera
Screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshein will once again be in charge of the adaptation, with producers Todd Lieberman (Hidden Pictures) and Feig and Laura Fisher (Pretty Dangerous Pictures) also returning. Sweeney and McFadden will also continue as executive producers, along with Carly Elter and Alex Young.
Feig welcomed the opportunity to continue Millie’s story, saying, “It’s so gratifying to see audiences around the world fall in love with The Housemaid and the incredible work of our talented cast and crew. Freda McFadden has already expanded on Millie’s journey on paper, and we’re lucky to be working with Rebecca Sonnenschein and Lionsgate to bring this next story to audiences.”
Director Lieberman echoed similar sentiments, saying, “We are thrilled with this reception and extremely proud of the entire team, from Frieda McFadden to our partners at Lionsgate, and the outstanding work of Paul and Laura. The most rewarding part was seeing how strongly audiences connected with this film.”
What ‘The Housemaid’s Secret’ explores next
An official synopsis for the film has not yet been released, but the sequel is based on McFadden’s second novel and follows Millie as she takes a new job with another wealthy family, quickly revealing disturbing cracks beneath the surface.
At the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Amanda Seyfried hinted at the possibility of a cameo, speaking to Variety. “No one has said anything about number two, but I guarantee there will be a number two. And I’m almost certain I’ll have a small cameo…I really want to know how she keeps Nina Winchester in her pocket, because I’ll get back to that in a minute.”
Amanda Seyfried says she “guarantees” that “The Housemaid 2” will happen. #PSIFF pic.twitter.com/gW6JQEzqTI
— Variety (@Variety) January 4, 2026
In our review for Screen Realm, we summed up the original film as follows: “The Housemaid brings a fresh snap to a well-worn genre, with confident direction, a strong central trio, and a twist that delivers without descending into nonsense.” If the sequel can maintain its balance between pulpy fun and sharp structure, The Housemaid’s Secret should easily avoid the common second-moment slump.
