Welcome to Derry: Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming ‘It’ Prequel Series
Fans of Stephen King’s universe have a spine-tingling reason to get excited—Welcome to Derry is coming to HBO. This much-anticipated prequel to the hit It films promises to revisit the roots of Derry and the evil that haunts the town. Whether you love a great horror story or just want to see Pennywise’s origins brought to life, here’s everything you need to know about the show, its cast, storyline, and where to watch the latest trailer.
What Is Welcome to Derry?
Welcome to Derry is a chilling new series set decades before the events of the It movies. Developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs—the creative minds behind the recent It films—it will explore the backstory of Derry, the haunted town that’s plagued by Pennywise the Clown. The series plunges viewers into the 1960s, offering fresh scares while building on the legacy of Stephen King’s 1986 novel. For a first glimpse at the horror in store, check out the official Welcome to Derry trailer on Variety.
Returning to Derry: Plot and Timeline
Set approximately 27 years before the events of the It films, Welcome to Derry promises to reveal how the dark force known as Pennywise tormented the town long before the Losers’ Club ever faced him. The plot draws inspiration from the book’s “interludes”—sections that feature Mike Hanlon’s research into past Derry horrors. These interludes include accounts of catastrophic events, such as the fire at the Black Spot and the explosion of the Kitchener Ironworks.
As Andy Muschietti explains, the narrative will center on the use of fear as a weapon and address themes of friendship, loss, and the struggle to confront evil. You can read more about the inspiration behind the series and King’s involvement in this chilling first-look breakdown at ComicBookMovie.com.
Cast and Creative Team
Bill Skarsgård makes a terrifying return as Pennywise, the ageless evil at the heart of Derry. The cast also features Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. The Muschietti siblings and Jason Fuchs lead the creative team, with Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane serving as showrunners. Andy Muschietti, celebrated for his work on the original It films, directs several episodes in the first season.
Why Horror Fans Are Buzzing
The first teaser for Welcome to Derry instantly set social media abuzz. By anchoring the show in the 1960s, the series promises new mysteries while remaining faithful to King’s vision. Fans will experience the terror of Pennywise as never before. HBO and Warner Bros. Television are set to deliver high production values and chilling storytelling. For fans eager for more details and sneak peeks, Yahoo has you covered with trailers and extra insights.
What to Expect Next
As anticipation builds for Welcome to Derry, fans speculate about future seasons and the depth of the show’s lore. The creators have hinted at exploring even earlier events in Derry’s cursed history. That could mean we’ll see stories set in 1935 or even 1908 if the series becomes a hit.
Don’t Miss the Premiere
Welcome to Derry is expected to premiere on HBO and Max this fall. For anyone eager to revisit the world of It, this series brings new stories, memorable characters, and plenty of nightmare fuel. To stay updated, keep an eye on official teasers and news from reputable sources—there’s much more to come as we return to where the terror began.
Get ready to say “welcome to Derry”—but remember, in this town, nobody sleeps easy when Pennywise is near.