Big casting news for people who enjoy tense thrillers and dramatic reveals: Kirsten Dunst is officially joining the sequel to The Housemaid. Lionsgate confirmed she will star opposite Sydney Sweeney in the adaptation of Freida McFadden’s novel The Housemaid’s Secret.

Who is Dunst playing?

Dunst will portray Mrs. Wendy Garrick, a reclusive employer who enters the life of Sydney Sweeney’s character, Millie Calloway. The studio called Dunst an icon and praised her range and fearlessness, saying she will be “an electrifying force” opposite Sweeney.

The team behind the film

  • Director Paul Feig is returning.
  • Screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine is back for the sequel.
  • Actor Michele Morrone, who played the Italian groundskeeper Enzo in the first movie, is confirmed to return.

Sydney Sweeney celebrated the casting news on her Instagram Story after the announcement.

What the author wants

Author Freida McFadden revealed one simple wish for the sequel: she hopes Amanda Seyfried, who starred in the first film, might at least do a cameo if she is available. Freida also shared a personal reaction to Sydney’s performance, saying she cried when she saw Sweeney as Millie and described her as sweet and genuine.

McFadden admitted she did not expect the level of success The Housemaid achieved after publication. She thought the book might do a bit better than her previous titles, but the movie’s performance went well beyond her expectations.

When will we see it?

No specific release date was given for the sequel yet. Fans will need to wait while production moves forward and the rest of the cast and crew are finalized.

Other book-to-screen adaptations to watch

If you like seeing popular novels turn into TV shows and movies, there are plenty more adaptations on the way. A quick list of notable upcoming projects:

  • The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 — Based on Laura Dave’s follow-up novel. Starring Jennifer Garner, Angourie Rice and others. Premieres February 20, 2026 on Apple TV.
  • Bridgerton Season 4 — Adapted from Julia Quinn’s An Offer From a Gentleman. Part One arrives January 29, 2026 and Part Two on February 26, 2026 on Netflix.
  • Wuthering Heights — New film starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, in theaters February 13, 2026.
  • Project Hail Mary — Andy Weir’s novel, starring Ryan Gosling. In theaters March 20, 2026.
  • Kay Scarpetta — Patricia Cornwell’s series adapted as a Prime Video show starring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis, premieres March 11, 2026.
  • Verity — Based on Colleen Hoover’s book, starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson. In theaters May 15, 2026.
  • Practical Magic 2 — Adapted from Alice Hoffman’s follow-up novel, bringing back major stars. In theaters September 18, 2026.

Bottom line: The Housemaid’s sequel is stacking its cast and bringing back key creatives from the first film. There is no release date yet, but between the returning team and Kirsten Dunst joining the cast, expectations are high. And if you like book adaptations, your watchlist is about to get a lot longer.