Freida McFadden Reveals True Identity of The Housemaid Author

The author of the bestselling domestic thriller series The Housemaid, known to the public as Freida McFadden, has revealed that her identity is a pseudonym. In an exclusive interview with USA Today published on April 8, 2026, the writer disclosed that her real name is Sara Cohen.

Cohen, who has kept her identity a secret for 23 years, is a physician who treats brain disorders. She explained that the use of a pen name was a strategic decision intended to prevent her burgeoning writing career from conflicting with her responsibilities at the hospital.

The Dual Life of Sara Cohen

For years, Cohen maintained a strict separation between her two personas to ensure her medical practice remained uncompromised. She stated that her primary goal was to keep the secret until she felt ready to step back from her full-time medical role, fearing that if her colleagues discovered her fame, it could affect her ability to perform her job.

Cohen eventually transitioned away from full-time medical work in late 2023. While she has stepped back from her primary role, she continues to practice medicine on a limited basis, working approximately once or twice a month.

To maintain her privacy during public appearances, Cohen employed a series of visual disguises, including glasses and a wig. While she confirmed that she does wear glasses in her daily life, she admitted the hair was a wig, noting that she simply does not know how to style her own hair.

I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this being a secret. I’m tired of people debating if I’m a real person or if I’m three men. I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don’t have anything to hide.

Sara Cohen to USA Today

Influence of Film Adaptations

The decision to reveal her identity comes amid a period of significant growth for the The Housemaid franchise, particularly its expansion into cinema. The first film adaptation of The Housemaid, starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, has already completed a successful theatrical run.

a sequel based on The Housemaid’s Secret is currently in development. The upcoming film will see Sydney Sweeney return to the franchise alongside Kirsten Dunst. Lionsgate has set a release date for the sequel for the end of 2027.

Cohen indicated that the increasing visibility brought about by the films and her continued success as a novelist made the secrecy unsustainable.

Future of the Freida McFadden Brand

Despite the public revelation of her legal name, Cohen does not intend to abandon the pseudonym that established her career. She plans to continue publishing her work under the name Freida McFadden.

Cohen expressed that while the name itself was a fabrication, she believes she has remained honest with her audience regarding her personality and experiences. She stated that she has always been genuine with her readers and feels that the real me has been shared through her writing all along.

According to reports from Deadline, Cohen’s medical colleagues had discovered her pseudonym prior to the public announcement but remained supportive and helped keep the secret until she was ready to go public.