The first official images and footage have been released for The Housemaid’s Secret.
Sydney Sweeney returns as Millie Calloway, the lead she portrayed in the R-rated thriller The Housemaid, which was adapted from Freida McFadden’s novel. The original film became a runaway hit for the studio, bringing in $400.5 million worldwide on a $35 million production budget. That box-office success paved the way for a follow-up based on another of McFadden’s books, and The Housemaid’s Secret is now moving forward with Sweeney back in the starring role and Paul Feig once again directing.
Lionsgate has announced cameras are rolling and shared a behind-the-scenes clip from the set. In the short video Sweeney mouths “I’ve been waiting for this” before embracing new cast member Kirsten Dunst, and the footage also shows Feig and several newcomers — Paul Anthony Kelly, Michele Morrone, Brittany Snow, and Stephen Kalyn — dancing together. Everyone appears in wardrobe for their parts, offering an early glimpse at how the new ensemble will look. (The studio posted the clip alongside the announcement.)
Among the additions to the cast are Kirsten Dunst as Mrs. Garrick, Paul Anthony Kelly as Douglas Garrick, Brittany Snow as Marybeth, and Stephen Kalyn as Brock. Michele Morrone returns to his role as Enzo, which he played in the first movie. The sequel’s premise finds Millie employed as a housekeeper for an unseen woman; her work leads her to a locked door whose contents threaten to reveal secrets far darker than her own. The Housemaid’s Secret is slated to hit theaters on December 17, 2027 — nearly two years after the original film’s release.
Rebecca Sonnenshine, who adapted the first book for the screen, penned the screenplay for the sequel as well. Sweeney is again serving as a producer through her Honey Trap banner, reuniting with producers Paul Feig and Laura Fischer of Pretty Dangerous Pictures, along with Todd Leiberman and Carly Elter of Hidden Pictures. Alex Young from Hidden Pictures is listed as an executive producer, and Honey Trap’s Kaylee McGregor joins the team as a co-producer.
Lionsgate secured the rights to McFadden’s trilogy and a related short story before they reached New York Times bestseller status. The rapid greenlight and commencement of production on The Housemaid’s Secret less than a year after the first movie’s debut underscore how profitable the franchise has been for the studio, and it increases the likelihood that more adaptations from McFadden’s catalog will be developed.
The original film also performed well with critics and audiences: on Rotten Tomatoes it earned a “Certified Fresh” critics rating of 74% and a 92% audience score labeled “Verified Hot.” In ScreenRant’s review of The Housemaid, Graeme Guttmann awarded the film seven out of 10 and highlighted Paul Feig’s tonal control and Jennifer Seyfried’s committed turn as elements that gave the picture a gleefully twisted energy, helping make it one of 2025’s more enjoyable genre outings. Seyfried played Nina Winchester, the wealthy woman who hires Millie, while Brandon Sklenar portrayed her husband, Andrew Winchester.
Looking at the new cast’s recent credits, Dunst is also attached to another big sequel, A Minecraft Movie Squared, due in 2027. Paul Anthony Kelly recently portrayed John F. Kennedy Jr. in Love Story and is appearing in American Horror Story season 13. Brittany Snow returns as Sophie O’Neil in season 2 of Netflix’s The Hunting Wives, and Stephen Kalyn has been part of Prime Video’s breakout Off Campus — both of those series have already been renewed.
The Housemaid’s Secret opens in theaters on December 17, 2027.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
