HBO has officially ordered a second season of the horror series ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ sending the story back to the Great Depression era for a fresh dose of terror. The network confirmed the renewal on August 17, 2026, nearly a year after the show’s first season debuted on HBO Max. The upcoming season will jump to 1935, shifting the timeline 27 years earlier than the first season’s 1962 setting.
The series, which serves as a prequel to the two-part ‘It’ film reboot from 2017 and 2019, is based on Stephen King’s classic horror novel. Season 1 premiered on October 26, 2025, and quickly became one of the platform’s biggest hits. The show drew about 5.7 million viewers across its first three days, ranking among the top four series premieres globally in HBO Max history.
Season 2 Takes Place in 1935 During the Great Depression
Season 2 will move away from the suburban setting of the first season and drop viewers into the harsh realities of 1930s America. The new season takes place in 1935, during the Great Depression, and focuses on the Bradley Gang Massacre. According to the official logline, the story “centers on the bloody massacre of the Bradley Gang, a group of bank robbers who stop in Derry to buy ammo and end up facing unimaginable horror.”
The Bradley Gang was a group of criminals who robbed banks and stores across the region. When they stopped in Derry to purchase ammunition, they ran into something far worse than they expected. The massacre is one of the interludes mentioned in Stephen King’s original novel, and the show’s creators have expanded it into a full season arc.
Series co-creator Andy Muschietti described the tone of Season 2 as significantly different from the first. While Season 1 focused on the evil hiding beneath suburban comfort, Season 2 will show a much bleaker version of Derry.
“On the surface, Derry is a graveyard almost. It’s a carcass of something because people are depleted, poor, tired, jobless, homeless. The kids don’t have a suburban, comforting life,” Muschietti told Variety. “They’re in a very different situation. Some of them are orphans or runaways, and so the environment is pretty bleak. But there’s always the aspect of hope that is always there, burning, and it’s what keeps our new group going.”
Muschietti also noted that the show will not ignore the harsh social and cultural realities of the Depression era. He said the period’s desperation will shape how characters behave, as everyone struggles to survive.
Brad Caleb Kane Takes Over as Sole Showrunner
The second season comes with a change behind the scenes. Brad Caleb Kane, who served as co-showrunner alongside Jason Fuchs during Season 1, will now be the sole showrunner for Season 2. Fuchs is not returning in that role.
Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, the filmmakers behind the ‘It’ movies, will continue as executive producers through their Double Dream production company. Other executive producers include Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Jamie Travis, and Dhana Gilbert. The series is produced by HBO and Warner Bros. Television.
Sarah Aubrey, Head of HBO Max Original Programming, expressed excitement about the renewal.
“We are excited to return to the chilling world of Derry and to further expand on Andy and Barbara Muschietti’s horrifically iconic adaptation. Together with Brad Caleb Kane, they will break new ground in season two, deepening the terror, the mystery, and the unforgettable Pennywise lore that fans love to devour,” Aubrey said.
The Muschiettis also shared their enthusiasm for continuing the story.
“Continuing to explore and expand on the amazing world Stephen King created is an absolute privilege. The support of our partners at HBO and Warner Bros. Television is priceless. Boy do we love our jobs!” the Muschiettis said.
Bill Skarsgård Expected to Return as Pennywise
While casting for Season 2 has not been officially announced, Bill Skarsgård is expected to return as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Skarsgård originated the role in the ‘It’ films and reprised it for the first season.
Barbara Muschietti previously teased that the origins of Bob Gray and Pennywise will play a role in the second season. It remains unclear whether other cast members from Season 1 will return. The first season starred Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. The show also featured a group of young actors including Blake Cameron James, Arian Cartaya, Matilda Lawler, Amanda Christine, Clara Stack, and Miles Ekhardt as high schoolers in 1960s Derry.
The Bradley Gang Storyline Was Hidden in Season 1
Fans who paid close attention to Season 1 may have noticed clues about the Bradley Gang. The old automobile filled with skeletons that General Shaw’s military operation dug up from the ground was a reference to the Bradley Gang storyline. The gang’s name also appeared in the Season 1 opening credits.
Andy Muschietti has described a three-season plan for the series, with each season covering one of the interludes from King’s novel. Season 1 covered the burning of the Black Spot in 1962. Season 2 will cover the Bradley Gang massacre in 1935. Muschietti has also mentioned the possibility of a third season set in 1908, focusing on an explosion at an Easter egg hunt.
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No Release Date Announced Yet
HBO has not confirmed a release date for Season 2. The first season premiered in late October 2025, timed around Halloween, leading some to speculate that Season 2 could follow a similar pattern. However, the network has not officially announced a premiere window.
Production on the new season has not yet begun, and creative development is still in progress. Andy Muschietti told Variety earlier this month that a writers’ room had already opened for Season 2, even before the renewal was formally announced. Given the show’s production scale, a 2027 release seems likely.
The eight-episode first season is currently available to stream on HBO Max. Season 1 received strong reviews, earning around 80 percent critics and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the series as “a masterfully woven, intricate psychological horror” and “powerful and gripping.”
Also Read: ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Season 2 Is Moving Forward, Creators Confirm Work Is Underway
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