Bestselling author of The Housemaid steps out from behind the pseudonym
Ben Stockton
A bestselling author among his popular books Servant He revealed his true identity.
He said that the real name of the thriller novelist, known to her fans under the pseudonym Freida McFadden, is Sara Cohen. USA Today.
“I’m at a point in my career where I’m tired of it being a secret. I’m tired of people arguing about whether I’m a real person or three men,” he said.
The mystery of McFadden’s true identity persisted even as he topped bestseller lists and his books were picked up for film and TV adaptations.
Film adaptation of the novel ServantThe film, starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, was released in late 2025 and grossed approximately US$400 million ($565 million) worldwide, according to IMDb.
More books and adaptations are planned, including a sequel ServantStarring Kirsten Dunst Deadline reported.
Amazon MGM Studios acquired Dear DebbieMcFadden’s last novel before publication. The book, published in January 2026, spent the last 10 weeks New York Times bestseller list.
McFadden said he wrote under a pseudonym because he did not want his books to interfere with his work as a doctor.
“My whole purpose was to keep this a secret until [ready to] “I stepped back from my job as a doctor to avoid a situation where everyone I worked with would suddenly find out and my ability to do my job would be compromised,” he said.
Treats brain disorders
He said he stopped working full-time in 2023 and now works “once or twice a month.” Although it appeared to be a “disguise,” McFadden said she wore a wig because “I had no idea how to style my hair.”
Before revealing his true identity, it was already known that McFadden was a doctor who treated brain disorders.
He has previously said in interviews that his first self-published book was: The Devil Wears an ApronIt was based on his experience in medical school.
he said New York Times In 2024, “a lot of my books have medical topics in them, and people are like, ‘Is this based on me?’ I don’t want him to say. It feels unprofessional.”
Although her real name is now public, she said she still wants to be known as Freida.
“I feel like I shared the real me from the beginning, and everything I told them was true,” she said.
“While the name may be a surprise, nothing else will be a surprise. I have always been sincere with my readers.”
Telegraph, London
