‘The Housemaid’ author Freida McFadden unmasks herself, ends long-running mystery
The woman behind the hit novel opens up about her long-kept secret
Bestselling author Freida McFadden has publicly revealed her true identity, ending years of speculation surrounding the writer behind one of the most successful psychological thrillers in recent years.
The author, known for her hit novel The Housemaid, confirmed that her real name is Sara Cohen, a physician who specializes in treating brain disorders, she told USA Today.
Speaking about the long-kept secret, Cohen said she felt it was finally time to come forward.
“I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this being a secret,” she shared, addressing years of online speculation about her identity. “I am a real person, and I don’t have anything to hide.”
Cohen’s dual life as both a practicing doctor and bestselling author had fueled intrigue among readers, with some even questioning whether “Freida McFadden” was a single individual at all.
The author revealed that maintaining anonymity was intentional, particularly during her medical career, to avoid disrupting her professional environment.
“My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was ready to step back from my doctor job,” she explained, noting that colleagues had been supportive and discreet once they discovered her authorship.
Since the 2022 release of The Housemaid, Cohen has published dozens of novels, including multiple sequels, and has sold more than six million copies worldwide.
She reduced her medical workload a year after the book’s success, as her writing career rapidly expanded.
Her breakout novel’s popularity extended beyond bookshelves. A 2025 film adaptation, directed by Paul Feig and starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, became a global box office hit, earning approximately $400 million.
The story follows a live-in maid navigating a wealthy household filled with dark secrets, a premise that resonated widely with audiences and cemented McFadden’s place in the thriller genre.
A sequel adaptation, based on The Housemaid’s Secret, is already in the works, with Sweeney set to reprise her role. The film is scheduled for release in December 2027.