# Rebecca Sonnenshine
**Rebecca Sonnenshine** is an American screenwriter, producer, and showrunner whose credits span horror, superhero, and family drama television, including *The Vampire Diaries*, *The Boys*, *Archive 81*, and the Netflix revival of *Little House on the Prairie*, as well as the film adaptation of *The Housemaid*.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0814412/) • [2](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/rebecca-sonnenshine) She received two Primetime Emmy nominations in 2021 for her work on *The Boys*.[2](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/rebecca-sonnenshine)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality and profession | American screenwriter, executive producer, and showrunner[3](https://www.sensacine.com/actores/actor-187763/) |
| Emmy nominations | Two at the 2021 Primetime Emmys for *The Boys*: Outstanding Drama Series (as executive producer) and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for the episode "What I Know"[2](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/rebecca-sonnenshine) |
| Signature television work | Wrote 15 episodes of *The Vampire Diaries*; wrote four episodes of *The Boys*; developed and showran *Archive 81* (Netflix, 2022)[4](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/8432/rebecca-sonnenshine) |
| Feature screenwriting | *The Housemaid* (2025), directed by Paul Feig and adapted from Freida McFadden's best-selling novel; the film grossed $133 million worldwide in its first 2½ weeks of release[5](https://s205.q4cdn.com/746463231/files/doc_news/2026/Jan/08/The-Housemaid-s-Secret-Release.pdf) |
| Current showrunning | Creator and showrunner of Netflix's *Little House on the Prairie* (2026), an eight-episode adaptation renewed for a second season before its debut[6](https://www.netflix.com/title/81748089?fromWatch=true&src=tudum) • [7](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/netflix/netflix-top-10-shows-heres-the-3-you-need-to-binge-watch-this-week-july-14-20) |
| Early film credits | *American Zombie* (2007), *The Haunting of Molly Hartley* (2008), *Within* (2009), and *The Keeping Hours* (2017)[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/rebecca_sonnenshine) |
## Background and start in writing
Sonnenshine was born in Oroville, a small town in [Northern California](https://www.edgepedia.org/northern-california).[9](https://www.podscan.fm/podcasts/3rd-amp-fairfax-the-wgaw-podcast/episodes/ep-427-rebecca-sonnenshine-little-house-on-the-prairie) She has said that reading *Little House on the Prairie* at about five years old made her want to be a writer and filmmaker, and that by age ten she had decided to make an adaptation of the books, which set her on a path to film school.[9](https://www.podscan.fm/podcasts/3rd-amp-fairfax-the-wgaw-podcast/episodes/ep-427-rebecca-sonnenshine-little-house-on-the-prairie) She attended UCLA intending to become a filmmaker, and came to screenwriting after producing several independent films and working in development; she has described television as "the perfect marriage of writing and filmmaking."[10](https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/the-best-characters-are-specific-rebecca-sonnenshine-on-archive-81/)
Her first screen credits were in low-budget independent film: she wrote the mockumentary *American Zombie* (2007), *The Haunting of Molly Hartley* (2008), and *Within* (2009), and worked as a producer on *Bunny* (2000) and *Reversion* (2008).[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/rebecca_sonnenshine) • [11](https://www.watchmode.com/people/rebecca-sonnenshine) The supernatural thriller *[The Keeping Hours](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-keeping-hours)* followed in 2017.[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/rebecca_sonnenshine)
## Television writing and producing
**The Vampire Diaries.** Sonnenshine's television breakthrough came on [The CW](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-cw)'s *The Vampire Diaries*, where she wrote 15 episodes between 2011 and 2016 and rose from executive story editor to co-producer and supervising producer across 28 production credits.[4](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/8432/rebecca-sonnenshine) • [12](https://www.fernsehserien.de/rebecca-sonnenshine/filmografie) She has said the show taught her a structural principle she still uses: anchoring each episode to an event that draws all the characters into one space where they can interact.[9](https://www.podscan.fm/podcasts/3rd-amp-fairfax-the-wgaw-podcast/episodes/ep-427-rebecca-sonnenshine-little-house-on-the-prairie)
She moved through a series of genre series as a writer and co-executive producer: Cinemax's *[Outcast](https://www.edgepedia.org/outcast-tv-series)* (one episode written, ten as co-executive producer in season 2), ABC's *[The Crossing](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-crossing-tv-series)* (two episodes written, ten as co-executive producer), and Amazon's *The Boys*.[4](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/8432/rebecca-sonnenshine)
**The Boys.** On Amazon's *The Boys*, Sonnenshine served as co-executive producer for the entire first season and executive producer from season 2 onward, and wrote four episodes: "The Innocents" and "You Found Me" in season 1, and "Proper Preparation and Planning" and the season 2 finale "[What I Know](https://www.edgepedia.org/what-i-know-the-boys-episode)" in season 2.[4](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/8432/rebecca-sonnenshine) • [13](https://the-boys.fandom.com/wiki/Rebecca_Sonnenshine) At the 2021 [Primetime Emmy Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/primetime-emmy-awards) she was nominated twice for the series, once as an executive producer for Outstanding Drama Series and once as writer of "What I Know" for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.[2](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/rebecca-sonnenshine) The Writers Guild of America also nominated "What I Know" for its Drama Series award in 2021.[11](https://www.watchmode.com/people/rebecca-sonnenshine)
## Archive 81
Sonnenshine developed and showran *Archive 81*, an eight-episode horror series Netflix released on January 14, 2022, produced by [James Wan](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-wan)'s Atomic Monster and directed by Rebecca Thomas.[4](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/8432/rebecca-sonnenshine) • [14](https://www.tonibarton.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Barton-Toni-Intrinsic_2025.pdf) The series follows an archivist hired to restore a collection of tapes who discovers they may lead to a dangerous cult, and it was loosely based on a podcast of the same name.[10](https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/the-best-characters-are-specific-rebecca-sonnenshine-on-archive-81/) • [15](https://scriptmag.com/interviews-features/writing-as-solace-an-interview-with-rebecca-sonnenshine) She was brought into the project by Netflix and Atomic Monster rather than seeking it out, and has said the adaptation diverges in many places from the podcast.[15](https://scriptmag.com/interviews-features/writing-as-solace-an-interview-with-rebecca-sonnenshine) • [16](https://www.finaldraft.com/blog/write-on-with-archive-81-showrunner-rebecca-sonnenshine) Her stated influences included *Don't Look Now*, *Hereditary*, *Rosemary's Baby*, *Midsommar*, and *The X-Files*, and her research into the history of spirit photography shaped the show's themes of grief and the longing to connect with lost loved ones.[15](https://scriptmag.com/interviews-features/writing-as-solace-an-interview-with-rebecca-sonnenshine) Netflix did not renew the series for a second season.[17](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne%3D187763.html)
## The Housemaid
Sonnenshine wrote the screenplay for *The Housemaid* (2025), Lionsgate's thriller directed by [Paul Feig](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-feig) and adapted from [Freida McFadden](https://www.edgepedia.org/freida-mcfadden)'s best-selling novel, starring [Sydney Sweeney](https://www.edgepedia.org/sydney-sweeney) and Amanda Seyfried.[5](https://s205.q4cdn.com/746463231/files/doc_news/2026/Jan/08/The-Housemaid-s-Secret-Release.pdf) • [18](https://pad.mymovies.it/filmclub/2025/07/008/mymovies.pdf) The film earned $133 million worldwide in its first 2½ weeks of release, including over $75 million domestically in its first 17 days.[5](https://s205.q4cdn.com/746463231/files/doc_news/2026/Jan/08/The-Housemaid-s-Secret-Release.pdf) In January 2026 Lionsgate announced a 2026 production start for the sequel, *The Housemaid's Secret*, based on the second novel in McFadden's trilogy, with Sonnenshine returning as screenwriter and Sydney Sweeney as executive producer; the sequel is dated for 2027.[5](https://s205.q4cdn.com/746463231/files/doc_news/2026/Jan/08/The-Housemaid-s-Secret-Release.pdf) • [19](https://www.sensacine.com/actores/actor-187763/filmografia/) She has described her approach to the adaptation as treating the novel as "a personal horror story."[20](https://podfollow.com/livingtowrite/episode/3ffe096ba37339be184d8b7475af79eb8e5361ee/view)
## Little House on the Prairie
Sonnenshine created and showruns Netflix's *Little House on the Prairie* (2026), a reimagining of [Laura Ingalls Wilder](https://www.edgepedia.org/laura-ingalls-wilder)'s semi-autobiographical novels that premiered on July 9, 2026, with eight episodes.[6](https://www.netflix.com/title/81748089?fromWatch=true&src=tudum) • [21](https://apnews.com/article/d3b2610fb1e4667437ee3f2e75c265b0) The project fulfilled a goal she had held since childhood, and she has said she pitched it as one-part family drama, one-part epic survival tale, and one-part origin story of the American West.[9](https://www.podscan.fm/podcasts/3rd-amp-fairfax-the-wgaw-podcast/episodes/ep-427-rebecca-sonnenshine-little-house-on-the-prairie) • [7](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/netflix/netflix-top-10-shows-heres-the-3-you-need-to-binge-watch-this-week-july-14-20) The first season is set in Independence, Kansas, in the late 1800s, and follows the Ingalls family; the new version expands the story to include Black homesteaders and members of the Indigenous Osage tribe.[21](https://apnews.com/article/d3b2610fb1e4667437ee3f2e75c265b0) • [22](https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/tv-shows/little-house-on-the-prairie-netflix-cast/) Netflix renewed the series for a second season in March 2026, months before the first season aired, with season 2 set in [Walnut Grove, Minnesota](https://www.edgepedia.org/walnut-grove-minnesota), and filming in Winnipeg, Canada.[7](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/netflix/netflix-top-10-shows-heres-the-3-you-need-to-binge-watch-this-week-july-14-20) • [23](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/07/15/little-house-prairie-setting-kansas-minnesota) The show reached number 1 on Netflix's U.S. top 10 list in its first week.[7](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/netflix/netflix-top-10-shows-heres-the-3-you-need-to-binge-watch-this-week-july-14-20)
## Approach to genre work
Although her credits are mostly in horror, superheroes, and science fiction, Sonnenshine has described genre writing as a vehicle for emotionally resonant, high-stakes stories built through world-building and visual storytelling.[9](https://www.podscan.fm/podcasts/3rd-amp-fairfax-the-wgaw-podcast/episodes/ep-427-rebecca-sonnenshine-little-house-on-the-prairie) Her stated writing advice is to bring one's own point of view into a story rather than trying to anticipate what the market wants: "You become a writer by writing."[10](https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/the-best-characters-are-specific-rebecca-sonnenshine-on-archive-81/)
## References
1. [Rebecca Sonnenshine, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0814412/)
2. [Rebecca Sonnenshine, Emmy Awards and Nominations, Television Academy](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/rebecca-sonnenshine)
3. [Rebecca Sonnenshine, SensaCine](https://www.sensacine.com/actores/actor-187763/)
4. [Rebecca Sonnenshine, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/8432/rebecca-sonnenshine)
5. [Lionsgate Planning 2026 Production Start for "The Housemaid's Secret" (press release, January 6, 2026)](https://s205.q4cdn.com/746463231/files/doc_news/2026/Jan/08/The-Housemaid-s-Secret-Release.pdf)
6. [Little House on the Prairie, Netflix Official Site](https://www.netflix.com/title/81748089?fromWatch=true&src=tudum)
7. [Netflix top 10 shows (July 14-20), Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/netflix/netflix-top-10-shows-heres-the-3-you-need-to-binge-watch-this-week-july-14-20)
8. [Rebecca Sonnenshine, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/rebecca_sonnenshine)
9. [Ep. 427 - Rebecca Sonnenshine - Little House on the Prairie, 3rd & Fairfax: The WGAW Podcast](https://www.podscan.fm/podcasts/3rd-amp-fairfax-the-wgaw-podcast/episodes/ep-427-rebecca-sonnenshine-little-house-on-the-prairie)
10. ["The Best Characters are Specific" Rebecca Sonnenshine on Archive 81, Creative Screenwriting](https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/the-best-characters-are-specific-rebecca-sonnenshine-on-archive-81/)
11. [Rebecca Sonnenshine, Watchmode](https://www.watchmode.com/people/rebecca-sonnenshine)
12. [Filmografie Rebecca Sonnenshine, fernsehserien.de](https://www.fernsehserien.de/rebecca-sonnenshine/filmografie)
13. [Rebecca Sonnenshine, The Boys Wiki](https://the-boys.fandom.com/wiki/Rebecca_Sonnenshine)
14. [Toni Barton, Production Designer CV (Archive 81 credits)](https://www.tonibarton.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Barton-Toni-Intrinsic_2025.pdf)
15. [Writing as Solace: An Interview with Rebecca Sonnenshine, Script Magazine](https://scriptmag.com/interviews-features/writing-as-solace-an-interview-with-rebecca-sonnenshine)
16. [Write On with 'Archive 81' Showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine, Final Draft](https://www.finaldraft.com/blog/write-on-with-archive-81-showrunner-rebecca-sonnenshine)
17. [Rebecca Sonnenshine, AlloCiné](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne%3D187763.html)
18. [La assistenta (The Housemaid) Italian press book, mymovies](https://pad.mymovies.it/filmclub/2025/07/008/mymovies.pdf)
19. [Rebecca Sonnenshine filmography, SensaCine](https://www.sensacine.com/actores/actor-187763/filmografia/)
20. [Rebecca Sonnenshine, Living To Write podcast](https://podfollow.com/livingtowrite/episode/3ffe096ba37339be184d8b7475af79eb8e5361ee/view)
21. [New 'Little House' series explores complicated history but keeps heart, community at the center, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/d3b2610fb1e4667437ee3f2e75c265b0)
22. [Meet the Cast of Netflix's 'Little House on the Prairie', Marie Claire](https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/tv-shows/little-house-on-the-prairie-netflix-cast/)
23. [New "Little House on the Prairie" show not in Minnesota ... yet, Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/07/15/little-house-prairie-setting-kansas-minnesota)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screenwriters and television writers › Television writers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license