HBO’s long awaited horror anthology It: Welcome to Derry is a prequel to Andy Muschietti’s film versions of Stephen King’s It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019). This terrifying series will be out October 2025. According to MovieWeb, the 9 episode series from the minds of Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs will air on HBO and be available to stream on Max around Halloween. The news and this creepy poster of a car driving into Derry under a red balloon has fans of Stephen King excited to go back to Derry, Maine.
Taking place in 1962, 27 years before the events of the 2017 film, It: Welcome to Derry explores the dark history of Derry and the origins of the shape shifting creature Pennywise the Dancing Clown, again played by Bill Skarsgård. The series takes its cues from the interludes in Stephen King’s 1986 novel where Mike Hanlon looks into the town’s dark past, including the Black Spot fire. Andy Muschietti who is directing 4 episodes of the series has said he will deliver a “hardcore” Pennywise. The show will explore Cold War era nuclear fears and genetic anxieties and will weave historical context with supernatural horror.
The ensemble includes Jovan Adepo as Will Hanlon, Mike’s father, with Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider and Madeleine Stowe who appears in a recurring role. Skarsgård who also executive produces reprises his terrifying Pennywise after a period of contemplation on the character’s demands. He’s promised audiences a performance that will top his already iconic one. Co-showrunners Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane are looking to expand the It universe by exploring new stories from Derry’s dark past. There are plans for future seasons set in 1935 and 1908 that will delve into the mysterious origins of Pennywise.
Filming started in May 2023 in Toronto and Port Hope, Ontario under the working title Greetings from Fairview. Production is expected to wrap in August 2024 after the SAG-AFTRA strike. Stephen King was involved in the project and played a hands on role in the development. He liked the scripts and the multi-season plan and is excited to see Derry’s legacy continue. The first official poster for the series was released with the San Diego Comic-Con panel announcement on July 26, 2025 and it looks ominous.
With its October release It: Welcome to Derry is poised to cash in on the Halloween season following the success of the 2017 It film which is the highest grossing horror movie of all time. As HBO gets ready to unleash Pennywise’s reign of terror It: Welcome to Derry will be a new and terrifying addition to King’s universe, weaving together warmth, wit and dread.
