Sydney Sweeney and director Paul Feig return

“The Housemaid” star Sydney Sweeney and director Paul Feig did something wrong, and it was so good that Lionsgate is going to let them do it again.

Thanks to the box office success of the psychological thriller – “The Housemaid” grossed $133 million in the first two and a half weeks of its release – the studio green-lighted a sequel, titled “The Housemaid’s Secret.” The project, based on the second novel in Freida McFadden’s bestselling trilogy, has been in development for a few months and Lionsgate plans to begin production later this year with the return of Feig and stars Sweeney and Michele Morrone.

In “The Housemaid,” Sweeney starred as Millie, a young woman trying to escape her past, who is recruited to work as a housekeeper for wealthy Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Skelnar), who have dangerous secrets of their own. Morrone plays Enzo, the Winchesters’ gardener, who becomes an important ally to Millie. Elizabeth Perkins also stars in the R-rated film, which grossed an impressive $75.7 million in North America and $133 million worldwide, against a budget of $35 million. Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” track, “I Did Something Bad,” features over the end credits as the film teases Millie’s next steps.

“It’s clear from the global box office and social media outpourings that audiences have responded strongly — and audibly — to The Housemaid’s totally unique and truly theatrical experience and want to know what happens next,” Adam Fogelson, president of Lionsgate’s motion picture group, said in a statement announcing the green light.

“We believed in these stories from the beginning and are beyond excited to bring the next chapter of Millie’s story to life on screen in collaboration with our exceptional creative partners Todd, Paul, Laura, Carly, Alex and Sydney,” Fogelson continued. “‘The Housemaid’s Secret’ is another hugely exciting book in Freida’s series that has captivated readers around the world, and we can’t wait to translate it into an equally rousing and wild cinematic experience.”

Screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine will return to adapt the sequel for producers Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman and Pretty Dangerous Pictures’ Feig and Laura Fischer. Sweeney and McFadden return as executive producers alongside Carly Elter and Alex Young of Hidden Pictures.

“It’s exciting to see audiences around the world fall in love with ‘The Housemaid’ and the incredible work of our talented cast and crew,” Feig said. “We’re fortunate that Freida McFadden has already extended Millie’s journey on the page and that we can work with Rebecca Sonnenshine and Lionsgate to bring this next story to audiences.”

Lieberman added: “We are thrilled with the response and incredibly proud of this entire team, from Freida McFadden to our partners at Lionsgate, to the exceptional work of Paul and Laura. The most rewarding thing has been seeing how much audiences are connecting with the film.”

At the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Seyfried confirmed that a sequel was all but guaranteed.

“No one has said anything about No. 2, but I guarantee there will be No. 2,” Seyfried said. Variety Marc Malkin on Saturday. “And I almost guarantee I’ll make a small cameo in this movie, because it’s about her and Syd working for a new family. And there’s so much going on, especially with Michele’s character, Enzo,” she explained. “I really want to see how she keeps Nina Winchester in her pocket, because I’m going back.”