IT: Welcome to Derry (2025) is the eagerly awaited prequel television series to the blockbuster films IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019), set to premiere on HBO and Max in October 2025. Developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, this supernatural horror series dives into the dark history of Derry, Maine, based on Stephen King’s iconic 1986 novel IT. With Bill Skarsgård reprising his terrifying role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, alongside a stellar cast including Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, and Chris Chalk, the nine-episode series explores the origins of the town’s curse and the malevolent entity that haunts it. Boasting a $100 million budget, chilling practical effects, and a focus on the novel’s interludes, IT: Welcome to Derry promises to be a haunting addition to King’s universe. Here’s a comprehensive look at this spine-chilling journey back to where it all began.

Overview

IT: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to Andy Muschietti’s IT films, which grossed over $1.17 billion worldwide and reintroduced Pennywise to a new generation. Unlike the films, which focused on the Losers’ Club in the 1980s and 2010s, this series is set in 1962, 27 years before the events of IT (2017), and draws heavily from the interludes in King’s novel, where librarian Mike Hanlon researches Derry’s violent past. Developed for HBO by the Muschiettis and Jason Fuchs, with Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane as co-showrunners, the series expands the mythology of Pennywise while exploring themes of fear, community, and historical trauma. With a runtime of approximately 45–60 minutes per episode across nine episodes, it blends psychological horror, social commentary, and visceral scares.

The series was greenlit in February 2023 after a 2022 production commitment, with filming in Toronto, Hamilton, and Port Hope from May 2023 to August 2024, delayed briefly by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Scored by Benjamin Wallfisch, who composed for the IT films, and directed by Andy Muschietti for four episodes (including the pilot), IT: Welcome to Derry aims to capture the eerie atmosphere and emotional depth of its predecessors while introducing new characters and a fresh perspective on Derry’s cursed legacy.

Set in 1962, IT: Welcome to Derry centers on the arrival of Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) and Charlotte Hanlon (Taylour Paige), the grandparents of Mike Hanlon from the IT films, who move to Derry, Maine, with their young son. Their arrival coincides with the mysterious disappearance of a local boy, signaling the awakening of Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), the shape-shifting entity that terrorizes the town every 27 years. The series follows the Hanlons as they navigate a hostile, racially charged community and uncover Derry’s dark secrets, including the catastrophic burning of the Black Spot, a nightclub for Black Air Force servicemen, orchestrated by white supremacists and influenced by Pennywise’s malevolence.

Drawing from Mike Hanlon’s interludes in King’s novel, the narrative weaves stories of Derry’s past, focusing on the Black Spot fire—a pivotal event in the town’s history where Pennywise appeared as a giant bird, claiming victims amid the tragedy. A group of young, bike-riding tweens, reminiscent of the Losers’ Club, also plays a key role, investigating the disappearances and encountering Pennywise’s horrors, from the fog-laden missing-persons board to the decaying Neibolt Street house. The series introduces Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), a familiar face from The Shining, as a cook at the Black Spot, tying the story to King’s broader universe.

As the Hanlons and the young investigators dig deeper, they uncover hints of Pennywise’s cryptic origins, though the Muschiettis have promised to maintain an air of mystery. The story explores fear as a weapon, exacerbated by the Cold War anxieties of the 1960s, and builds to a climactic confrontation during Pennywise’s active cycle, marked by two catastrophic events. With jumps to earlier eras and a focus on generational trauma, the series sets the stage for planned future seasons in 1935 and 1908, each exploring different Derry tragedies like the Bradley Gang massacre and the Kitchener Ironworks explosion.

Cast and Characters

• Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the Dancing Clown: The sinister, shape-shifting entity, reprising his iconic role with a mix of eerie charm and nightmarish terror. Skarsgård also serves as an executive producer.
• Jovan Adepo as Leroy Hanlon: Mike Hanlon’s grandfather, a resilient newcomer to Derry facing racial hostility and supernatural horrors.
• Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon: Leroy’s wife, whose unease in Derry drives her to confront the town’s dark underbelly.
• Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann: A cook at the Black Spot, known from The Shining, whose “shining” ability may play a role in sensing Pennywise.
• James Remar: A series regular in an undisclosed role, possibly a town elder or antagonist.
• Stephen Rider: A key character, potentially a community figure or ally to the Hanlons.
• Madeleine Stowe: A recurring guest, likely playing a significant Derry resident.
• Rudy Mancuso: A recurring role, possibly a young investigator or Black Spot patron.
• Supporting Cast: Includes Alixandra Fuchs, Kimberly Guerrero, Dorian Grey, Thomas Mitchell, BJ Harrison, Peter Outerbridge, Shane Marriott, Chad Rook, Joshua Odjick, and Morningstar Angeline in recurring roles, portraying townsfolk, investigators, or victims.

Skarsgård’s return, confirmed in May 2024 after initial hesitation due to the role’s intensity, anchors the series with his chilling performance. The ensemble, blending seasoned actors and fresh talent, brings depth to Derry’s diverse community, with Adepo and Paige delivering emotional heft as the Hanlons.

Production Details

• Director: Andy Muschietti (episodes 1–4, including the pilot), with additional directors TBD
• Writers: Jason Fuchs (episode 1), Austin Guzman, Guadalis Del Carmen, Gabe Hobson, et al.
• Showrunners: Jason Fuchs, Brad Caleb Kane
• Executive Producers: Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs, Brad Caleb Kane, Bill Skarsgård, Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Shelley Meals
• Composer: Benjamin Wallfisch
• Budget: Approximately $100 million for the season
• Runtime: 9 episodes, 45–60 minutes each
• Rating: TV-MA (for graphic violence, horror, and mature themes)
• Genre: Supernatural Horror, Drama
• Language: English
• Country: United States
• Release Date: October 2025 (exact date TBD)
• Network/Platform: HBO, streaming on Max
• Production Companies: HBO, Warner Bros. Television, Double Dream

Filming took place in Toronto, Hamilton, and Port Hope, Canada, under the working title Greetings from Fairview, with key scenes shot at Delta Secondary School. The production, paused in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, wrapped in August 2024. Wallfisch’s score, known for its haunting motifs from the IT films, enhances the series’ eerie atmosphere, while practical effects and minimal CGI aim to recreate Pennywise’s visceral terror.

Why You Should Watch

IT: Welcome to Derry is a must-see for horror fans, Stephen King enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to rich, character-driven storytelling. Here’s why it stands out:

• Terrifying Horror: Pennywise’s return, paired with practical effects and a 1960s setting, delivers chilling scares and psychological dread.
• Rich Mythology: The series expands King’s universe, exploring Pennywise’s origins and Derry’s cursed history with ties to The Shining.
• Powerful Performances: Skarsgård’s iconic Pennywise, alongside Adepo, Paige, and Chalk, brings emotional and terrifying depth.
• Social Commentary: The Black Spot fire and racial tensions ground the horror in real-world issues, reflecting fear as a societal weapon.
• Cinematic Quality: With Muschietti’s direction and a $100 million budget, the series offers film-level visuals and production values.
• Nostalgic Ties: Fans of the IT films will love callbacks to Neibolt Street and the Losers’ Club spirit, while new viewers get a standalone horror epic.

Themes and Symbolism

The series delves into fear as a weapon, both supernatural and societal, with Pennywise exploiting Derry’s divisions and Cold War anxieties. The Black Spot fire symbolizes racial and systemic violence, amplified by the entity’s influence, while the Hanlons’ journey reflects resilience and community strength. Pennywise’s cryptic origins, described by Muschietti as unveiled “with good taste,” symbolize the unknowable nature of evil. The tweens’ bike-riding adventures evoke the Losers’ Club, representing childhood innocence confronting darkness. Derry itself acts as a character, its cursed history mirroring generational trauma and the cyclical nature of fear.

Reception and Anticipation

The IT films were critical and commercial successes, with IT (2017) earning a 86% Rotten Tomatoes score and IT Chapter Two (2019) at 62%, praised for their horror and cast but critiqued for pacing. IT: Welcome to Derry has generated significant buzz since its 2022 announcement, amplified by teasers in May and July 2025 and a Comic-Con panel showcasing first-look footage. Fans on X have expressed excitement for Skarsgård’s return and the Black Spot focus, with comments like “This looks creepier than the 2017 movie” and “Bill coming back as Pennywise is EVERYTHING!” Some skepticism persists due to the films’ mixed reception, but the Muschiettis’ involvement and King’s endorsement fuel high expectations for a faithful, terrifying adaptation.

Where to Watch

IT: Welcome to Derry premieres on HBO in October 2025, with episodes streaming weekly on Max. Subscriptions start at $9.99/month for Max, or viewers can access it via HBO with a pay-TV provider. Two teasers, released in May and July 2025, are available on Max’s social media and YouTube, with a full trailer expected closer to the premiere. Check HBO, Max, or San Diego Comic-Con updates for additional footage and the exact release date.

Final Thoughts

IT: Welcome to Derry is poised to be a chilling, ambitious addition to Stephen King’s horror legacy, blending the visceral terror of Pennywise with a deep dive into Derry’s cursed past. With Andy Muschietti’s cinematic vision, a powerhouse cast led by Bill Skarsgård, and a story that tackles fear, racism, and resilience, this prequel series offers something for both IT fans and newcomers. As the first of a planned three-season arc exploring Derry’s history, it promises to unravel the mysteries of Pennywise while delivering heart-pounding horror and emotional depth. Prepare to float back to Derry in October 2025—because in this town, evil never sleeps.

Sources: Information compiled from Variety, Deadline Hollywood, Entertainment Weekly, Bloody Disgusting, and HBO’s official announcements.