Welcome Home, Douglas Garrick
Paul Anthony Kelly Joins Kirsten Dunst and Sydney Sweeney in Lionsgate's 'The Housemaid's Secret' Sequel
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Key Points
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The film’s official social media greeted Kelly with a character-style tagline—“Welcome home, Douglas”—posted alongside a teaser video of the actor holding up the novel, confirming his casting announcement timing (June 11).
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Kelly’s character is framed in more detail than just “billionaire husband”: he plays Douglas Garrick, described as a “wealthy and reclusive tech CEO” and the seemingly controlling husband of Mrs. Garrick (Dunst).
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The Housemaid’s Secret’s production roster is spelled out: Paul Feig and Laura Fischer produce through Pretty Dangerous Pictures; Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman is a producer; Carly Elter and Alex Young return as executive producers; Honey Trap’s Kaylee McGregor co-produces; and Lionsgate oversight includes Chelsea Kujawa and Maria Ascanio.
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Beyond the sequel, The Hollywood Reporter notes Kelly’s broader career arc: his Love Story breakout has generated “awards buzz during this Emmys season,” and he’s “up next” for a new season of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story.
Paul Anthony Kelly is heading to the big screen for the first time. The Canadian actor, who broke out playing John F. Kennedy Jr. in FX's *Love Story*, has been cast as Douglas Garrick — a reclusive billionaire tech CEO — in Lionsgate's *The Housemaid's Secret*, Deadline reported on June 11. He will star opposite Sydney Sweeney and Kirsten Dunst in the sequel to one of 2025's biggest box office hits.
The film's official social media marked the news with a slick character-style tagline: "Welcome home, Douglas." The post included a teaser of Kelly holding up Freida McFadden's source novel. *The Housemaid's Secret* is set for wide release on December 17, 2027, Screen Daily reported.
Kelly Steps Into a Franchise Worth $400 Million
The first *Housemaid* film, released December 19, 2025, earned roughly $400 million worldwide against a $35 million budget — more than 11 times its cost, according to Wikipedia. That made it Lionsgate's most profitable property per dollar spent since the early *John Wick* films. The studio greenlit the sequel on January 6, 2026, just 17 days after opening weekend.
Kelly plays Douglas Garrick, the seemingly controlling husband of Wendy Garrick, played by Kirsten Dunst. Sweeney returns as Millie Calloway, a housemaid drawn into secrets hiding behind a locked door in the Garrick home. Michele Morrone also returns as Enzo, Fangoria confirmed.
From TV Breakout to Film Lead in One Move
This is Kelly's feature film debut. He first appeared on screen in February 2026, when FX's *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* premiered. His performance quickly generated Emmy buzz, and The Hollywood Reporter described him as the "breakout star of the winter." He is also set to appear in Ryan Murphy's *American Horror Story* Season 13.
Industry analysts compare Kelly's jump from television to franchise film lead to the career paths of Jacob Elordi and Austin Butler. Lionsgate's decision to cast a first-time film actor in such a key role reflects how much weight his Emmy campaign is carrying heading into awards season.
Paul Feig Returns With a Stacked Production Team
Director Paul Feig is back, producing alongside Laura Fischer through their Pretty Dangerous Pictures banner. Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures is also producing. Lieberman called the original film's success "one of those moments that gives me a lot of hope for the moviegoing business," CinemaBlend reported. Rebecca Sonnenshine returns to adapt McFadden's second novel for the screen.
Sydney Sweeney serves as an executive producer through her Fifty-Fifty Films banner, alongside returning EPs Carly Elter and Alex Young. Kaylee McGregor of Fifty-Fifty Films co-produces. Lionsgate's Chelsea Kujawa and Maria Ascanio oversee for the studio, Collider noted.
Lionsgate Eyes a Bigger Housemaid Universe by 2027
Lionsgate is not stopping at a sequel. In May 2026, the studio announced plans for a stage adaptation of *The Housemaid*, with playwright Bekah Brunstetter attached, Screen Daily reported. Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate's Motion Picture Group Chair, said audiences "want to know what happens next" and praised the theatrical experience the first film created.
The sequel targets the same December counter-programming slot as the original — going up against family blockbusters for adult audiences seeking something edgier. McFadden's source books have sold over 6 million English-language copies, giving the franchise a built-in global fanbase to draw from heading into 2027, according to Bloody Disgusting.
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