Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the sewers, HBO is dragging us back to the cursed town of Derry, Maine. Get ready to float again, because IT: Welcome to Derry, the much-anticipated prequel series to the blockbuster horror films, premieres this Sunday, October 26, on HBO and HBO Max. The eight-episode event promises to unravel the dark origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown and the ancient evil that has haunted Derry for centuries.
For fans of Stephen King’s sprawling horror epic, this is a chance to witness the genesis of the terror that would one day torment the Losers Club. Helmed by the creative team behind the modern IT films, director Andy Muschietti and producer Barbara Muschietti, the series is poised to expand the cinematic universe in terrifying new directions. With Bill Skarsgård reprising his iconic role as Pennywise and a story that delves into uncharted territory from King’s novel, Welcome to Derry is shaping up to be the horror event of the fall.
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Caption: The official poster for IT: Welcome to Derry teases a return to where the nightmare began.
Credit: HBO / Warner Bros. Television
Source: IMDb
What is IT: Welcome to Derry About?
Set in 1962, decades before the events of IT: Chapter One, the series turns the clock back to explore a much earlier cycle of terror in Derry. The story centers on a new cast of characters who encounter the town’s malevolent entity. According to official reports, the plot follows Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon, the grandparents of future Losers Club member Mike Hanlon, as they move to the seemingly idyllic town after Leroy’s military service.
Of course, anyone familiar with Stephen King’s horrifying IT universe knows that Derry is anything but normal. The prequel will explore the deep-seated evil that has plagued the town for generations, connecting the disappearances of children in the 1960s to the sinister force that would later become the Losers’ greatest nightmare. The series aims to answer a question that has long intrigued fans and even the filmmakers themselves: how did Pennywise become a clown? This origin story, which is not detailed in King’s original novel, was a key motivator for the prequel.
In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Andy Muschietti revealed the idea sparked during the production of IT: Chapter Two. “I was having conversations with Bill Skarsgård about how cool it would be to tell the story of the origins of Pennywise, how It became a clown. When did that happen?” Muschietti explained. This prequel is their chance to answer that question and explore the cryptic mythology that the book only hints at.
Who Is in the Cast of IT: Welcome to Derry?
While Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise is the main event, he’s joined by a talented ensemble cast tasked with bringing 1960s Derry to life. The series stars:
- Jovan Adepo (Babylon, Watchmen) as Leroy Hanlon
- Taylour Paige (Zola, The Toxic Avenger) as Charlotte Hanlon
- Chris Chalk (Perry Mason, Gotham) as Dick Hallorann
- James Remar (Dexter, The Warriors) as General Shaw
- Stephen Rider (Daredevil) as Hank Grogan
- Madeleine Stowe (The Last of the Mohicans) as an unnamed character
One of the most exciting casting announcements for hardcore King fans is Chris Chalk playing a younger version of Dick Hallorann, the psychic chef from The Shining. This crossover confirms a long-held fan theory about a shared universe and connects the terror of Derry to the haunted halls of the Overlook Hotel. It’s a bold move that signals the series is not afraid to expand upon King’s interconnected literary world, similar to how other shows have explored the vast DCU slate.
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Caption: The new generation of Derry residents who will face the ancient evil.
Credit: HBO / Warner Bros. Television
Source: Showbiz Junkies
How Does the Prequel Connect to the IT Films?
The connection to the modern IT films is baked into the prequel’s DNA. Andy and Barbara Muschietti, alongside Jason Fuchs (IT: Chapter Two, Wonder Woman), developed the series, ensuring a consistent tone and visual style. Many of the original crew members returned, and filming even took place in Port Hope, Ontario, the same Canadian town that stood in for Derry in the movies. This continuity provides a seamless bridge between the films and the series, creating a unified and immersive world.
The narrative is directly tied to the Hanlon family, providing a backstory for Mike Hanlon, the Losers Club member who becomes Derry’s historian and guardian. By focusing on his grandparents, the series will likely reveal how the Hanlon family became so deeply intertwined with the town’s dark history and its fight against Pennywise. This focus on legacy and generational trauma is a core theme in King’s work, from IT to The Shining.
Stephen King himself has given the series his blessing, a crucial stamp of approval for any adaptation of his work. The author, known for his active involvement in projects based on his novels, has endorsed the prequel, giving fans confidence that the story is in good hands.
When Does IT: Welcome to Derry Premiere?
The eight-episode series premieres on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream simultaneously on HBO Max. New episodes will drop weekly, leading to a sure-to-be-terrifying season finale on December 14. For fans who enjoy ranking a franchise’s most powerful characters, like Marvel’s most powerful symbiotes, this series will provide a new perspective on one of horror’s most formidable villains.
Here is the full release schedule:
- Episode 1: October 26, 2025
- Episode 2: November 2, 2025
- Episode 3: November 9, 2025
- Episode 4: November 16, 2025
- Episode 5: November 23, 2025
- Episode 6: November 30, 2025
- Episode 7: December 7, 2025
- Episode 8 (Finale): December 14, 2025
As the premiere approaches, the hype is building for what promises to be a chilling and unforgettable journey back to Derry. Whether you’re a die-hard Stephen King fan or a newcomer to the franchise, IT: Welcome to Derry is set to be a can’t-miss television event.
Resources
The following sources were used to research and fact-check this article:
- Deadline: IT: Welcome To Derry Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Stream? (October 24, 2025)
https://deadline.com/2025/10/it-welcome-to-derry-release-schedule-hbo-max-1236596683/
- Collider: HBO Confirms Release Schedule for Stephen King’s Terrifying Prequel Series ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (October 21, 2025)
https://collider.com/it-welcome-to-derry-release-schedule-hbo-max-confirmed/
- New York Post: Inside Bill Skarsgård’s ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ — and how the Pennywise prequel series was born (October 24, 2025)
https://nypost.com/2025/10/24/entertainment/inside-bill-skarsgards-it-welcome-to-derry-how-pennywise-prequel-series-was-born/
