"The Housemaid" Swaps the Silver Screen for the Theater Spotlight

Ditching the popcorn for playbills? Lionsgate fans, prepare to get captivated! The widely acclaimed “The Housemaid,” is strutting from bookshelves and box offices to - drumroll, please - the theatrical stage!

Drawing on the riveting psychological thriller written by none other than Freida McFadden, the Brits from Melting Pot, producers Simon Friend and Hanna Osmolska (remember their brilliant work on Broadway's “Life of Pi” and “Paranormal Activity”?), are teaming up with esteemed playwright Bekah Brunstetter (you must've heard of “The Notebook”) for this exciting project. The opening night is yet to be circled on our calendars, though. So keep those eyelids peeled and ears pricked!

“The Housemaid”, a venture that turned box office gold with a whopping $400 million in global collections, is the latest muse for Lionsgate’s dramatic adaptations. The flick starred the awe-inspiring duo of Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. A spectacular outcome given the movie’s relatively thrifty budget of $35 million, making each dollar spent, a treasure earned for the studio.

In the era of re-runs and remakes, Lionsgate is not just sitting on its laurels. A sequel, titled “The Housemaid’s Secret,” plans to roll its cameras later this year eyeing the big screen by December 17, 2027.

Captivating us with the tale of a young lady, shrouded in mystery, who takes up a job as a maid for a seemingly picture-perfect wealthy family, “The Housemaid” is rife with twists and turns. Stage adaptation promises to stay true to its roots, although the endings may swivel a bit, keeping us all on tenterhooks.

Jenefer Brown, Lionsgate’s president of global products and experiences, hailed, “‘The Housemaid’ possesses all the ingredients necessary for a triumphant stage adaptation - a recognizable title, absorbing characters, and a plot that escalates tension, making it prime theatre material."

Underlining Lionsgate's innovative spirit, Brown pointed out “The Housemaid” is among the list of productions in line for a life beyond the silver screen, following “Dirty Dancing,” “La La Land,” “Wonder,” and the currently performing “The Hunger Games” on London’s West End.

The aptly named Friend is eager to amplify its gripping aura, citing the story's dramatic nature, confined setting, and modernized elements as ideal for a thrilling stage performance. Echoing his excitement, Brunstetter added, “I am buzzing with anticipation to transcend this tantalizing mix of tension, emotion, peculiarity, and humor to the stage, teasing apart its universally relatable themes of jealousy, desire, and the traumas that link us all.”