HBO’s supernatural horror series “IT: Welcome to Derry” has officially arrived, bringing viewers back to Stephen King’s terrifying universe of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Premiering on October 25, 2025, this highly anticipated prequel series explores the dark origins of Derry, Maine, decades before the events depicted in the 2017 and 2019 films. Here’s your complete guide to understanding this chilling new chapter in the IT franchise.
What Is IT: Welcome to Derry?
“IT: Welcome to Derry” is an American supernatural horror television series streaming on HBO Max, based on Stephen King’s legendary 1986 novel “IT.” Serving as a prequel to director Andy Muschietti’s two blockbuster films, the series takes viewers back to 1962 Derry, Maine, revealing the sinister events that preceded the Losers’ Club’s confrontation with Pennywise.
The show was created by Andy Muschietti, his sister Barbara Muschietti, and writer Jason Fuchs, the same creative team behind the successful film adaptations. Their vision brings to life the historical interludes from King’s novel that were largely omitted from the movies, providing deeper context for Pennywise’s reign of terror over the cursed town.
The Story: What Happens in Welcome to Derry?
Set in 1962, the series follows multiple storylines converging in Derry as the town experiences another cycle of Pennywise’s awakening. The central narrative focuses on the Hanlon family – decorated pilot Leroy Hanlon, his wife Charlotte, and their young son Will – who have just moved to Derry as a young boy mysteriously disappears. With their arrival, very bad things begin happening throughout the town.
Leroy takes up a position at the local army base where he discovers a top-secret mission involving Dick Hallorann, a psychic soldier who horror fans will recognize from Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Meanwhile, various residents of Derry begin experiencing unexplained phenomena, supernatural encounters, and terrifying visions as Pennywise begins his feeding cycle.
The series explores how different characters – both newcomers and lifelong residents – cope with the malevolent presence lurking beneath their seemingly ordinary town. Unlike the films which focused on the Losers’ Club, “Welcome to Derry” examines a broader cross-section of Derry’s population during the 1960s, showing how the entire community becomes complicit in or victimized by the ancient evil.
The Cast: Who Stars in IT: Welcome to Derry?
The series features an impressive ensemble cast bringing both familiar and new characters to life:
Main Cast:
- Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon (Will Hanlon’s mother)
- Jovan Adepo as Leroy Hanlon (Will Hanlon’s father)
- Blake Cameron James as Will Hanlon (young Mike Hanlon’s father)
- James Remar as General Shaw
- Stephen Rider as Hank Grogan
- Matilda Lawler as Marge
- Amanda Christine as Ronnie Grogan
- Clara Stack as Lilly Bainbridge
- Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann (from “The Shining”)
- Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the Dancing Clown
- Madeleine Stowe in an undisclosed role
Recurring Cast:
The series also features Rudy Mancuso, Kimberly Norris Guerrero, Peter Outerbridge, and numerous other talented actors bringing the 1960s Derry community to life.
Bill Skarsgård Returns as Pennywise
One of the most exciting aspects of “Welcome to Derry” is the return of Bill Skarsgård in his iconic role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Skarsgård’s terrifying portrayal in the 2017 and 2019 films became instantly legendary, with his unsettling performance earning praise from critics and Stephen King himself.
However, Pennywise doesn’t appear in “Welcome to Derry” quite as audiences might expect. The first episode takes a more restrained approach to revealing the creature, building tension and dread through subtle hints, mysterious disappearances, and increasingly disturbing supernatural occurrences rather than immediately showcasing the clown.
This deliberate pacing allows the series to establish its characters and setting while creating an atmosphere of mounting horror. Pennywise’s presence is felt throughout – through red balloons appearing ominously, through the terror in characters’ eyes, through unexplained disappearances – but the full reveal is carefully orchestrated to maximize impact.
How Does Welcome to Derry Connect to the IT Movies?
“Welcome to Derry” serves as a direct prequel to Andy Muschietti’s 2017 film “IT” and its 2019 sequel “IT Chapter Two.” The series takes place approximately 27 years before the events of the first film, which means we’re witnessing a previous cycle of Pennywise’s awakening.
Key Connections:
The Hanlon Family: The series focuses heavily on the Hanlon family, establishing the backstory of Will Hanlon, who becomes Mike Hanlon’s father. Fans of the films will remember Mike as the Losers’ Club member who stays in Derry and ultimately calls the others back when Pennywise returns 27 years later. The series shows Will’s childhood experiences with Pennywise, explaining why the Hanlon family has such deep knowledge of Derry’s dark history.
Dick Hallorann: The inclusion of Dick Hallorann from “The Shining” creates an interesting crossover within Stephen King’s interconnected universe. His psychic abilities (known as “the shining”) make him one of the few people who can perceive the supernatural threats in Derry.
Derry Locations: The series features iconic locations from King’s novel and the films, including the Derry standpipe, the town’s extensive sewer system, various neighborhoods, and the town square. These familiar settings provide visual continuity with the films while exploring them during a different era.
The 27-Year Cycle: The series reinforces one of the most important aspects of IT mythology – Pennywise’s 27-year hibernation cycle. By showing events from 1962, the series fits perfectly into the timeline, as Pennywise would awaken again around 1989 (when the films are set) and then again in 2016.
Stephen King’s Reaction
Stephen King himself has given “IT: Welcome to Derry” his stamp of approval, which carries significant weight given his sometimes mixed reactions to adaptations of his work. The legendary author shared his enthusiasm on social media, describing the series as “amazing” and admitting that the first episode left him genuinely terrified.
King’s positive reaction suggests that the series successfully captures the atmospheric dread and complex storytelling that made his novel a masterpiece. His endorsement has generated even more excitement among fans eager to see his vision brought to life with the depth and detail that only a series format can provide.
What Makes This Series Different from the Movies?
While the Muschietti films focused primarily on the Losers’ Club and their battles with Pennywise, “Welcome to Derry” takes a broader approach to exploring King’s mythology:
Expanded Scope:
The series examines how Pennywise’s presence affects an entire community, not just a small group of children. This allows for multiple storylines, diverse perspectives, and a more comprehensive understanding of how the town itself becomes complicit in or victimized by the ancient evil.
Historical Context:
Set in 1962, the series can explore the social dynamics of that era – racial tensions, military culture, gender roles, and small-town America during the tumultuous 1960s. This historical setting adds layers of real-world horror to complement the supernatural terror.
The Interludes Come to Life:
King’s novel contained numerous historical interludes showing Pennywise’s influence throughout Derry’s history. The films largely omitted these sections due to time constraints, but the series can fully explore these backstories, providing context that enriches the entire IT mythology.
More Time for Character Development:
A multi-episode series format allows for deeper character development than films can provide. Viewers can spend more time understanding characters’ motivations, fears, and relationships, making the horror more emotionally impactful.
Gore and Adult Content:
Released on HBO Max rather than in theaters, the series can push boundaries further than the R-rated films. Early reviews note that “Welcome to Derry” features surprisingly graphic violence and horror imagery, taking full advantage of the streaming platform’s freedom from theatrical ratings constraints.
Easter Eggs and References
“Welcome to Derry” is packed with references to Stephen King’s broader universe and the IT franchise:
- The Derry Standpipe: This iconic location from King’s novel finally receives proper attention, appearing prominently throughout the first episode.
- Alvin Marsh Graffiti: A bathroom stall features graffiti reading “Alvin Marsh” inside a heart – a reference to Beverly Marsh’s abusive father from the Losers’ Club.
- Paul Bunyan Statue: The series references the construction of the Paul Bunyan statue that later terrorizes Richie Tozier in the films.
- Maturin the Turtle: References to “Bert the Turtle” appear on signage, nodding to Maturin, the cosmic turtle entity opposing Pennywise in King’s mythology.
- Newspaper Archives: Characters research old newspapers documenting Derry’s disturbing history, revealing patterns of violence and disappearances coinciding with Pennywise’s cycles.
Critical Reception
Early reviews of “IT: Welcome to Derry” have been mixed but generally positive. Critics have praised:
- The atmospheric tension and slow-burn approach to horror
- Bill Skarsgård’s continued excellence as Pennywise
- The strong performances from the ensemble cast
- The series’ willingness to explore King’s mythology in greater depth
- The impressive production design recreating 1960s Derry
Some critics have noted concerns about:
- Pacing issues in the first episode
- Whether the series justifies its existence as a prequel
- The challenge of living up to the successful films
- Balancing multiple storylines and characters
Slate’s review controversially suggested the series “ruins Stephen King’s masterpiece,” though this appears to be a minority opinion among critics. Most reviewers acknowledge that while the series takes risks and makes changes to the source material, it offers compelling new perspectives on the IT mythology.
When Does Pennywise Appear?
One of the most frequently asked questions about “Welcome to Derry” concerns when and how Pennywise actually appears in the series. Unlike the films, which featured Pennywise prominently from early scenes, the series takes a more measured approach.
The first episode establishes atmosphere, introduces characters, and builds dread through subtle hints – mysterious disappearances, unsettling behavior from town residents, red balloons appearing ominously, and increasingly disturbing visions experienced by various characters. Pennywise’s presence is felt throughout, but the full reveal is carefully paced.
This approach serves multiple purposes: it allows time for character establishment, creates mounting tension, and differentiates the series from the films by taking advantage of the longer format to build dread gradually rather than relying on immediate jump scares.
How to Watch IT: Welcome to Derry
“IT: Welcome to Derry” streams exclusively on HBO Max (now rebranded as Max in some markets). The series premiered on October 25, 2025, with new episodes releasing weekly rather than all at once. This episodic release strategy allows viewers to discuss and theorize about each episode as the season progresses.
To watch the series, viewers need an active Max subscription. The platform offers various subscription tiers with different pricing and features, but all tiers provide access to original HBO content including “Welcome to Derry.”
What Time Do New Episodes Air?
New episodes of “IT: Welcome to Derry” release on HBO Max at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT on Sundays, following the traditional HBO scheduling model. Episodes become available for streaming immediately at this time, allowing viewers across different time zones to watch simultaneously or at their convenience.
The weekly release schedule means viewers can expect new episodes every Sunday evening throughout the first season, which is expected to run for multiple episodes (exact episode count has not been officially confirmed at time of publication).
The Mythology: Understanding Pennywise and IT
For viewers new to the IT franchise or those needing a refresher, here’s the essential mythology:
What is Pennywise? Pennywise the Dancing Clown is the most common form taken by an ancient, trans-dimensional entity known simply as “IT.” This Lovecraftian creature crash-landed on Earth over a billion years ago and has terrorized the area that would become Derry, Maine, throughout human history.
The Deadlights: Pennywise’s true form exists as “the Deadlights” – incomprehensible cosmic entities that cause madness or death to those who perceive them directly. The clown form is merely a physical manifestation designed to lure and terrify victims.
The 27-Year Cycle: Pennywise awakens approximately every 27 years to feed on humans, particularly children, whose fear provides sustenance. After feeding, the creature hibernates for another 27 years. This cycle has repeated throughout Derry’s history.
Why Derry? The town’s location and the creature’s long presence there have created a symbiotic relationship. Derry itself seems infected by Pennywise’s influence, with residents displaying unusual apathy toward violence and disappearances. The town’s adults are often portrayed as complicit or willfully ignorant of the evil in their midst.
Red Balloons: Pennywise’s signature calling card, red balloons appear throughout the series as harbingers of the creature’s presence and imminent violence.
Season 1 Expectations
While HBO has not officially announced the complete season structure, industry reports suggest “IT: Welcome to Derry” will run for at least one full season with potential for multiple seasons if successful. The first season will likely follow the pattern of one 27-year cycle in Derry’s history, with subsequent seasons potentially exploring other time periods mentioned in King’s novel.
The series format allows for exploring aspects of King’s mythology that the films couldn’t address:
- The Native American tribe that first encountered Pennywise
- Other historical cycles of violence in Derry
- The town’s founding and early history
- Additional characters from King’s novel who didn’t appear in the films
- Deeper exploration of how Pennywise’s presence affects the town’s psychology and culture
Why Welcome to Derry Matters
Beyond simply being another horror series, “IT: Welcome to Derry” represents an important experiment in how beloved franchises can expand through prequels that genuinely add value rather than simply trading on nostalgia.
By focusing on unexplored aspects of King’s novel, the series justifies its existence as more than a cash grab. It provides context that enriches the entire IT story, helps viewers understand why Derry itself is as much a character as Pennywise, and explores how communities can become corrupted by allowing evil to flourish unchallenged.
The series also demonstrates how Stephen King’s interconnected universe – with crossovers like Dick Hallorann from “The Shining” – can be explored through television in ways that theatrical films cannot easily accomplish.
Final Verdict
“IT: Welcome to Derry” offers horror fans a fresh perspective on one of Stephen King’s most iconic creations. While it may not reach the cultural phenomenon status of the recent films, the series provides valuable context and explores aspects of the IT mythology that have never been properly adapted before.
For fans of the films, the series offers deeper understanding of Derry’s history and Mike Hanlon’s family background. For readers of King’s novel, it brings to life the historical interludes that were omitted from previous adaptations. For newcomers, it serves as an accessible entry point into the IT franchise that stands on its own while connecting to the larger story.
Whether “IT: Welcome to Derry” becomes a modern horror classic or a solid but unremarkable addition to the franchise remains to be seen as the season progresses. However, the combination of talented creators, Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise, and Stephen King’s endorsement suggests this series deserves attention from horror fans and IT enthusiasts alike.
As the red balloons rise again over Derry, Maine in 1962, viewers are invited to witness the birth of terror in one of fiction’s most cursed towns. Welcome to Derry – where every 27 years, the nightmare begins again.
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