It: Welcome to Derry takes viewers back to the haunted past of Derry, Maine, in 1962, serving as a chilling prelude to the events of the 2017 and 2019 It films. Developed by Andy and Barbara Muschietti with co-showrunners Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane, the series expands on the “interlude” chapters of Stephen King’s original novel, exploring Pennywise’s early cycles and the town’s historic tragedies .
The first season spans nine episodes, set against the backdrop of the Black Spot nightclub, a location tied to racial violence—and supernatural evil—in Derry’s lore. Key characters appear in new roles: Jovan Adepo plays Leroy Hanlon, Taylour Paige portrays Charlotte Hanlon, Chris Chalk is Dick Halloran (from The Shining), alongside James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, also serving as an executive producer .
At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, HBO premiered the first ten minutes of the show: a middle-school–aged boy, odd behaviors, and eerie hospitality at first glance—but disturbingly inhuman as the truth emerges. A projectionist and his daughter, along with an unsettling family, reveal unsettling depths of Derry’s terror as Pennywise looms behind smiling faces .
Recent teaser trailers highlight chilling Stephen King Easter eggs—like a prison bus labeled “Shawshank State Prison”—tying Welcome to Derry to King’s broader universe. Another visceral standout: an unsettling scene featuring a severed hand moving inside a jar of pickles, marking the series’ willingness to go beyond traditional horror tropes .
Looking ahead, Welcome to Derry is planned as a three‑season arc, each delving deeper into Pennywise’s origins, moving backward in time: Season 1 in 1962, followed by seasons exploring 1935 and 1908, weaving gradually into Derry’s mythic history. With its atmospheric dread, ensemble cast, and Muschietti-led creative vision, the series is poised to redefine the It universe for horror fans and King purists alike.
In summary, It: Welcome to Derry offers:
A well-crafted prequel plum‑line set in 1962, expanding It mythology
A haunting ensemble cast, headlined by Bill Skarsgård
Intense horror imagery and King‑rich Easter eggs
Bold storytelling with a multi‑season vision tracing Pennywise’s emergence
