By Chloe Heuston 
Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid is the kind of thriller that keeps you turning pages late into the night, packed with jaw-dropping twists, unreliable narrators, and eerie domestic suspense. But what really makes this book unforgettable? The characters.
From the seemingly sweet but mysterious Millie to the enigmatic Winchester family, every character in The Housemaid plays a crucial role in weaving the novel’s tension-filled atmosphere. But who are they, really? And what drives their actions? In this deep dive, we’ll break down each major character, explore their motivations, and analyze the intricate power dynamics that keep readers on edge.
Whether you’ve just finished the book and need to unpack its twists or you’re preparing to dive in, this guide will give you all the insights you need—without spoiling too much. Let’s get into it!
The Housemaid Characters List
Here’s a character list for The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, featuring the key players and their roles in the story:
Main Characters
- Millie Calloway – The protagonist, a young woman with a troubled past who takes a live-in maid job at the Winchester house.
- Nina Winchester – Millie’s employer, an erratic and seemingly unhinged housewife.
- Andrew Winchester – Nina’s husband, a charming and successful man who seems to be a victim of his wife’s unstable behavior.
- Cecelia Winchester – Nina and Andrew’s spoiled and bratty daughter.
- Enzo – The gardener, who seems quiet but might know more than he lets on.
Supporting Characters
- Millie’s Parole Officer – A reminder of Millie’s troubled past, showing that she’s trying to rebuild her life.
- Millie’s Friend (or Former Employer) – Someone from her past life who briefly appears, shedding light on her backstory.
- The Previous Housemaid – A shadowy figure in the story. What happened to her? (This one is a minor but key detail in the book’s mystery.)
The Housemaid Characters Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the main characters in The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, including their personalities, motivations, and how they drive the story.
Millie Calloway – The Housemaid with a Dark Past
Personality & Traits:
✔ Determined, resourceful, and resilient
✔ Smart but vulnerable due to her past
✔ Struggles with self-worth but refuses to be a victim
Role in the Story:
Millie is the narrator and protagonist. She’s desperate for work and a place to stay, so she accepts the job as a live-in maid for the Winchesters. At first, she’s just trying to keep her head down, but she quickly realizes that something is very wrong in the house. As the story unfolds, we learn more about her criminal past, but she’s not as helpless as she first seems.
Key Relationships:
- Nina Winchester – Millie is constantly on edge because of Nina’s unpredictable mood swings.
- Andrew Winchester – He seems like Millie’s protector… but is he?
- Cecelia Winchester – A spoiled child who treats Millie horribly but also drops hints about family secrets.
Nina Winchester – The Unstable Wife
Personality & Traits:
✔ Erratic, manipulative, and controlling
✔ Plays the role of the crazy rich wife
✔ Seems desperate for help but hides her own secrets
Role in the Story:
Nina appears to be the typical unstable, jealous housewife. She constantly berates and belittles Millie, making her feel trapped in the job. Her behavior swings between paranoid and downright cruel. But as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that there’s a much deeper reason for her erratic actions.
Key Relationships:
- Millie Calloway – She makes Millie’s life hell, but is it for a reason?
- Andrew Winchester – She seems afraid of him, but why?
- Cecelia Winchester – Tries to be a good mother, but her situation limits her.
Andrew Winchester – The Charming Husband
Personality & Traits:
✔ Handsome, charming, and wealthy
✔ Seems like the perfect husband—until he’s not
✔ Controls everything in subtle, disturbing ways
Role in the Story:
At first, Andrew comes across as the poor, kind-hearted husband who’s stuck with a difficult wife. He acts protective toward Millie, making her think that Nina is the problem. But as Millie starts putting the pieces together, she realizes that Andrew might be the one controlling everything—and that he has dark secrets of his own.
Key Relationships:
- Millie Calloway – Treats her like she’s special, but his true intentions are questionable.
- Nina Winchester – Controls her more than meets the eye.
- Cecelia Winchester – A reflection of his twisted version of a “perfect” family.
Cecelia Winchester – The Spoiled Daughter
Personality & Traits:
✔ Bratty and rude to Millie
✔ Mimics her father’s behavior
✔ Holds secrets she doesn’t fully understand
Role in the Story:
Cecelia is a young child growing up in a toxic household. She treats Millie with cruelty, which at first seems like normal spoiled behavior, but it’s actually a reflection of what she sees at home. As the novel progresses, her childlike honesty drops major hints about what’s really going on in the house.
Key Relationships:
- Millie Calloway – Bullies her, but also unknowingly gives her clues.
- Nina Winchester – Loves her mother but mimics her father’s behavior.
- Andrew Winchester – The person she models her personality after.
Enzo – The Quiet Gardener
Personality & Traits:
✔ Mysterious and reserved
✔ Observes everything but says little
✔ Knows more than he lets on
Role in the Story:
Enzo seems like a minor character, but he’s actually one of the few people aware of the real situation in the Winchester house. He’s silent and keeps to himself, but Millie starts realizing that he may hold answers about what’s really going on.
Key Relationships:
- Millie Calloway – Tries to subtly warn her about things.
- Nina Winchester – Understands what she’s going through.
- Andrew Winchester – Stays quiet to avoid trouble.
Other Important Figures
- The Previous Housemaid – Her fate is a huge mystery that Millie starts uncovering.
- Millie’s Parole Officer – A connection to her troubled past, reminding her of what’s at stake.
Character Dynamics in The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
One of the most gripping aspects of The Housemaid is the intense psychological power play between its characters. Each relationship is layered with manipulation, secrecy, and hidden motives, making every interaction feel like a ticking time bomb. Let’s break down how these dynamics shape the novel’s suspense and ultimate twists.
Millie Calloway & Nina Winchester – The Toxic Employer-Employee Relationship
Power Struggle: At first, Nina appears to be the one with power—she’s the wealthy housewife who hires Millie and treats her terribly. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Nina is not the true villain, and her instability is a symptom of something much darker.
Key Dynamics:
- Nina controls Millie through verbal abuse, irrational rules, and gaslighting.
- Millie feels sympathy for Nina, despite the mistreatment, sensing that she’s trapped in an abusive situation.
- Nina’s erratic behavior makes Millie question reality, creating tension about who the real antagonist is.
Major Shift: As Millie uncovers the truth about Nina’s situation, their relationship takes a dramatic turn—flipping the entire power dynamic of the book.
Millie Calloway & Andrew Winchester – The “Charming” Protector?
Deception & Manipulation: Andrew starts off as the seemingly kind and reasonable husband, painting himself as the victim of his wife’s mental instability. He earns Millie’s trust, making her think he’s the only “good” person in the household.
Key Dynamics:
- Andrew subtly isolates Millie, making her feel like he’s her only ally.
- He portrays himself as the perfect husband, but red flags start emerging.
- Millie, desperate for stability, falls for his act—until she realizes the truth about his control over both her and Nina.
Major Shift: As Millie unravels the real villain behind the madness, she realizes that Andrew is far more dangerous than he appears. The psychological thriller element kicks into high gear as she figures out how to escape his grip.
Millie Calloway & Cecelia Winchester – Innocence vs. Conditioning
The Child as a Reflection of the Household: Cecelia is a product of her environment—she acts spoiled, cruel, and entitled, mimicking her father’s cold, controlling behavior. However, as a child, she also unknowingly reveals truths about the household.
Key Dynamics:
- Cecelia bullies Millie, reflecting the toxic culture of the family.
- She drops subtle hints about Andrew’s true nature, though she doesn’t fully understand them herself.
- Unlike Nina, Cecelia is still moldable, raising the question of whether she will escape the cycle of manipulation or grow into her father’s image.
Major Shift: While Cecelia starts as just an annoying spoiled child, she becomes a key to understanding Andrew’s true influence over his family.
Millie Calloway & Enzo – The Silent Observer
A Quiet Ally: Enzo, the gardener, keeps to himself, but his presence serves as a reminder that Millie is not entirely alone in the house. He sees more than he says, hinting that he knows the truth about the Winchesters.
Key Dynamics:
- Enzo watches and listens, making Millie suspicious of whether he’s a threat or an ally.
- He subtly tries to warn Millie, though he remains largely in the background.
- His existence adds tension—he’s a potential escape route, but also someone Millie doesn’t fully trust.
Major Shift: As the novel’s climax approaches, Enzo’s role in the household becomes increasingly significant, helping Millie navigate her dangerous situation.
Nina & Andrew Winchester – The Darkest Dynamic
Control & Psychological Abuse: The novel’s most disturbing dynamic is between Nina and Andrew. While Nina initially appears to be the unstable, manipulative one, it soon becomes clear that Andrew is the true puppet master.
Key Dynamics:
- Andrew gaslights and controls Nina, making her seem crazy to outsiders.
- He weaponizes her instability to keep his household in check.
- Nina’s desperation to escape creates the entire chain of events leading to Millie’s discoveries.
Major Shift: Once Millie understands who’s really in control, the novel’s suspense reaches a breaking point—leading to a tense, life-or-death climax.
Final Thoughts: A Web of Deception & Survival
The characters in The Housemaid operate in a constant push and pull of power, manipulation, and survival. Millie starts as an outsider, but by the end, she becomes deeply entangled in the toxic household’s twisted games.
What makes the book so gripping is how these relationships constantly shift, keeping the reader on edge about who can be trusted.