In an intense bidding war against multiple studios, Deadline brings word Universal Pictures has successfully won the rights to author Nita Prose’s upcoming debut novel titled The Maid. The studio is currently in the process of developing a film adaptation of the murder mystery novel with Oscar-nominated actress Florence Pugh officially signing on for the titular leading role.
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Described as a mix between the charm of Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine with an Agatha Christie-esque murder mystery, The Maid is set at the Regency Grand Hotel, where Molly the maid leaves every room perfect and pristine, while getting to know each guest’s dirty secrets. A Clue-like, locked-room whodunnit, The Maid explores Molly’s descent into the murderous underbelly of her gilded workplace, while telling a timely story about the strengths of our differences.
The novel is scheduled to be published sometime in 2022 by Penguin Random House for the U.S. and Canada while HarperFiction will be handling its U.K. debut.
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The Maid film adaptation will also be produced by Pugh along with Wink Pictures’ Josh McLaughlin and Winterlight Pictures’ Chris Goldberg. Prose, who is also known as the Vice President and Editorial Director for Simon & Schuster Canada, will also be serving as an executive producer.
Pugh gained recognition for her acclaimed performances in 2016’s Lady Macbeth, Ari Aster’s Midsommar, and Greta Gerwig’s Little Women with the latter earning her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. 2021 will again be a busy year for the 24-year-old English actress as she will next be seen in two high-profile films: Marvel Studios’ long-delayed MCU film Black Widow and Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling.
