Everything You Need to Know About IT: Welcome to Derry

Stephen King adaptations have always been popular, but it seems that, as of late, we're seeing more of them grace our screens, and I'm totally cool with that. By the end of 2025, we'll have seen four films and two shows based on the legendary horror master's musings—one of those being the highly anticipated IT prequel series, coming soon to HBO Max .

Here's everything you need to know about IT: Welcome to Derry .

The Plot of IT: Welcome to Derry

IT: Welcome to Derry is poised to lean all the way into the terror of psychological repression by digging back into Derry's past, and Pennywise's lore, to tell what came decades before. It will also, of course, uncover new horrors hiding in the gutter.

Set in 1962, the plot will draw heavily from those creepy flashbacks and horrific historical tragedies that Mike Hanlon researched as an adult, and that served as interludes in the novel. As one of Derry's young characters tries to understand how and why his friend disappeared, the question that has plagued the town for so long will be addressed: Is it possible someone could kidnap a kid and keep him in the sewers?

"The interludes are basically chapters that reflect Mike Hanlon's research," show creators Andy and Barbara Muschietti told Cinemablend . "They're fragments of his research. For 27 years, it's the guy trying to figure out what it is, what did it, who did it, who saw it, and all that stuff. So, they talk about catastrophic events from the past, like the fire in The Black Spot, the massacre of the Bradley Gang of 1930s bank robbers, and the explosion of the Kitchener Ironworks."

Based on the teaser trailer from four months back , indeed, a major event in the show will center around the burning of The Black Spot, a nightclub founded and frequented by Black soldiers and locals. It was torched by a white supremacist group called the Maine Legion of White Decency—an attack that served as a canon in King's novel and is implied to have occurred at the time of Pennywise's influence.

Because these interludes are spread out over time, every instance that Pennywise comes out of hibernation could potentially lead to a three-season plan, according to Muschietti, who says there's a reason why the story is told backwards. By connecting to his two films and expanding the horror movie franchise , Welcome to Derry will examine what happened during the events of IT 's dual timelines, connecting the dots between those earlier hauntings and the vast evil that lies in wait behind the mask. It will touch on the usual themes of friendship, loss, and the power of unified belief, while also focusing on the use of fear as a weapon, which is something horrifyingly relevant to our current times.

Expect plenty of mayhem, plenty of blood, and so much terror, you'll be sleeping with the lights on 'til Christmas.

How Welcome to Derry Fits into the Stephen King Universe

IT: Welcome to Derry is not a direct adaptation but instead is an extension of King's literary canon that will function as a prequel to the IT franchise. The series will branch out from Muschietti's two chapters of IT films and will also include connections to other King characters and stories, which isn't something completely new, but it is exciting. Here's why.

Back in 2018, Hulu released an excellent series—one of the best Stephen King adaptations —called Castle Rock . It took place in the titular town of Castle Rock, Maine, and featured several King characters or relatives of characters interacting with one another.

Season one saw the appearance of Diane Torrance (Jane Levy, of Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist ), who went by Jackie, a version of her uncle Jack Torrance's name from The Shining , just to tick off her parents. Season two was released in 2019 and took a different approach, this time focusing on one of King's most iconic and beloved characters, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) from Misery . The season portrayed a much younger Annie, notably played by a mesmerizing Lizzie Caplan, and took us through the events in her life that led to her becoming a psychotic serial killer.

Additionally, characters from Needful Things and Stand by Me were also part of the narrative, and popular locales even appeared, like Shawshank State Penitentiary. If you haven't seen Castle Rock , I highly recommend doing so. You'll want a feel for what you might be in for with Welcome to Derry , since it looks like the creators are doing something similar with its cast of characters. Pennywise won't be the only major focus, though. The Hanlons will be, too, and here's why they're important.

Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon are parents to Will, who later becomes the father of Derry historian Mike Hanlon, from the It novel and series. Furthermore, Dick Hallorann will be a crucial part of the show. You'll best remember him as the head chef at the Overlook Hotel, who had those shining telepathic abilities. The prequel series will also draw from, in particular, Derry's supernatural amnesia, wherein town residents either forget or completely ignore the horrors surrounding them, Pennywise's 27-year cycle of awakening, The Black Spot fire, and the idea that Derry isn't just cursed but also nurtured by the sinister being.

As you can see, Welcome to Derry is carving out its own space—a new space—but it's still very much rooted in the SK Universe.

Is Bill Skarsgård Returning as Pennywise?

Despite early rumors, Skarsgård is reprising his role as Pennywise the Clown. In fact, he's also serving as executive producer of Welcome to Derry . Additionally, The Shining 's Chris Chalk is reprising his role in the King-verse as Dick Hallorann.

As for the rest of the cast, Taylour Paige, of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F , will play Charlotte Hanlon and Jovan Adepo ( Watchmen ) will play Leroy Hanlon. Other members are much younger and not as well-known, but that doesn't matter when you're paired with the enormous talent of Bill Skarsgård, whose role in the series is one of the only ones with a confirmed identity. More newcomers include James Remar, of the Dexter franchise, Stephen Rider ( Daredevil ), Revenge's Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso, of The Flash .

While we do not yet know their roles because they're being kept under wraps, recurring cast members are Alixandra Fuchs ( Hatfields & McCoys ), Kimberly Guerrero ( Reservation Dogs ), Tyner Rushing ( For All Mankind ), Dorian Grey ( Star Trek: Discovery ), Thomas Mitchell ( V/H/S/94 ), BJ Harrison ( Family Law ), Peter Outerbridge ( Sullivan's Crossing ), Shane Marriott ( The Porter ), Chad Rook ( Joe Pickett ), Joshua Odjick ( The Swarm ), and Morningstar Angeline ( Outer Range ).

Will they have connections to other Stephen King stories? Let's hope so. In Derry, the more, the merrier.

Is Stephen King Involved?

Yes, according to ScreenRant , King is involved with the HBO prequel series, equipped with the power of approval over everything. Word is, though, the process seems to be pretty informal, reflecting the author's full trust in the creative team behind Welcome to Derry —the Muschiettis—and that's a really good sign.

Is There a Trailer for IT: Welcome to Derry?

You can bet your red balloons there's a trailer for Welcome to Derry . Released yesterday, the official trailer lures viewers into a frightening glimpse at what we're in for next month, warning us that something bad is coming.

It also gives us a peek at Skarsgård's petrifying Pennywise, who is hiding his face behind the infamous red balloon as he lurks in the shadows. Then, a child emits a bone-chilling scream, her face drenched in blood. From the looks of it, we're in for quite a disturbing ride.

The Release Date

At the beginning of September, HBO Max revealed the official release date, and I couldn't be more excited or reveling in any more anticipation than I currently am. IT: Welcome to Derry will premiere on Sunday, October 26, 2025, on HBO Max.

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Will expanding the IT universe beyond the scope of the Loser's Club make the series unique enough to survive past one season? Chances are, yes, but we'll see in October. My house will be the one with all the lights on. While you wait for this chilling series to arrive, immerse yourself in some of HBO Max's funniest original comedy shows before the mood turns serious!