Lionsgate confirmed earlier this year it had greenlit the second book in Freida McFadden's The Housemaid series for another nail-biting book to screen adaptation. While Sydney Sweeney is set to return in the role of Millie, it is likely we've seen the back of Amanda Seyfried's Nina Winchester. However, this paves way for the likes of Kirsten Dunst, who has been announced to be joining the cast of The Housemaid's Secret as the character of Wendy Garrick.
Speaking about the announcement, the president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Erin Westerman said, "t is a privilege to bring The Housemaid’s next chapter to the screen with Kirsten Dunst. She is an icon. Her career reflects extraordinary range and fearlessness. Opposite the ever-magnetic Sydney Sweeney, she will be an electrifying force in a world where nothing is ever quite as it seems.”
Here's everything we know so far about The Housemaid's Secret.
What is the plot of The Housemaid's Secret?
Having left behind the Winchester's, Millie takes up another job as a live-in housemaid where her employers thankfully ask few questions about her past. This time she is working for the Garricks in their penthouse, with gorgeous views across the city, getting to relish in preparing meals in their shiny kitchen. The only slightly perculiar thing is she's yet to meet Mrs Garrick.
With the first The Housemaid film remaining fairly faithful to the book, we expect the plot of The Housemaid's Secret to follow a similar story to McFadden's text, especially as screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine is once again on board for the project.
The Housemaid follows the story of Millie (Sydney Sweeney), a young woman attempting to make a fresh start after a life-altering event. She applies for a live-in post working as a housemaid for the wealthy Winchester family in their picture-perfect Long Island home. While things may seem serene on the surface, it doesn’t take long for the cracks to appear. And for Millie to become increasingly suspicious of her surroundings.
The inspiration behind The Housemaid series
Originally written in 2019, Frieda McFadden allegedly shelved her manuscript for The Housemaid because it was much darker than her previous creative output. Flash forward to 2022 and the novel is taking all the bestseller charts by storm, even bagging itself a Best Paperback Original Novel gong from the International Thriller Writers Awards in 2023.
McFadden went on to write two further books in the series: The Housemaid’s Secret (2023) and The Housemaid is Watching (2024), which is set many years after the second book.
Who is in the cast of The Housemaid?
Currently we only have confirmation of two stars returning alongside the recent Kirsten Dunst announcement. There will likely be more casting news to follow.
- Sydney Sweeney as Millie
- Kirsten Dunst as Mrs Garrick
- Michele Morrone as Enzo
When will The Housemaid's Secret be released?
We don't yet know when to expect the release of The Housemaid's Secret, though we don't expect there will be much waiting around with much anticipation for the follow-up after the success of the first The Housemaid film.
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