“The Housemaid” Stage Adaptation in the Works After Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried-Led Film's Breakout Success

Lionsgate is developing a stage adaptation of Freida McFadden's bestselling thriller The Housemaid

NEED TO KNOW

• Bekah Brunstetter, known for Broadway's The Notebook, will write the play exploring universal themes like jealousy and desire

• The Housemaid franchise continues to grow with a sequel film in production and millions of books sold worldwide

The Housemaidis coming to the stage.

Lionsgate announced on Tuesday, May 19 that it is developing a live theatrical adaptation of the psychological thriller, based on Freida McFadden's bestselling novel. The news comes after the 2025 film version — starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar — became a surprise box office smash, earning nearly $400 million worldwide.

The stage production is being developed alongside producers Simon Friend and Hanna Osmolska of Melting Pot, the independent theatre and film production company behind stagings ofLife of PiandParanormal Activity.

Bekah Brunstetter, who previously earned a Tony Award nomination for her work on Broadway'sThe Notebook, is attached to write the play.

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First published in 2022,The Housemaidfollows Millie, a financially struggling young woman who takes a job working for the wealthy Winchester family, only to discover disturbing secrets lurking inside their seemingly perfect home.

The novel quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation, helping launch a popular trilogy. McFadden followed the original novel withThe Housemaid's Secretin 2023 andThe Housemaid Is Watchingin 2024, with the series collectively selling millions of copies worldwide.

Now, a whole new group of fans will get to discoverThe Housemaidon stage.

“The Housemaidhas all the elements for a successful stage adaptation – a blockbuster title, compelling characters, and a story full of twists and turns that builds tension and momentum in a way that naturally lends itself to the stage,” said Jenefer Brown, Lionsgate's President of Global Products & Experiences, in a statement.

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“This project reflects how our hit films and IP can be transformed into novel experiences,” Brown continued. “We're excited to collaborate with Simon, Hanna, and Bekah to bringThe Housemaidto theatre-goers in a new and intimate way.”

Friend said he immediately saw theatrical potential in McFadden's novel.

“When I first readThe Housemaidit was exhilarating, and what occurred to me is how truly theatrical the story is, not only happening largely in a single, claustrophobic location, but the twisty elements which contemporize what has long worked in potboiler stage thrillers,” he said. “Bringing this story to live theatre, after the immensely successful film, offers the chance to heighten its intensity in a shared way.”

Brunstetter added that she is eager to explore the story's emotional themes in a live setting. “I'm so thrilled to be bringing this gripping, emotional, strange, and even funny story to the stage,” she said. “I'm extremely excited to dig intoThe Housemaid's incredibly universal themes of jealousy, the pain of desire, and the traumas that connect us.”

The stage adaptation marks the latest expansion ofThe Housemaidfranchise for Lionsgate. The studio also confirmed thatThe Housemaid's Secret, based on the second novel in McFadden's trilogy, is expected to begin production later this year ahead of a planned theatrical release on Dec. 17, 2027.

In recent years, Lionsgate has increasingly expanded its film and television properties into live entertainment. The studio recently launchedThe Hunger Games: On Stagein London and is preparing a North American tour ofDirty Dancing, set to begin in August. A Broadway-bound musical adaptation of the Oscar-winning filmLa La Landis also in development with producer Marc Platt.

Melting Pot has also built a notable résumé across both stage and screen. Its theater productions includeGhost Stories,The Girl on the TrainandInspector Morse: House of Ghosts, while Friend also produced the Oscar-winning filmThe Father, starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman.

BeyondThe Notebook, Brunstetter's credits include television series such asThis Is Us,Maid,American Godsand the upcoming Peacock dramaThe Five-Star Weekend, starring Jennifer Garner.

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