Fans of Stephen King’s horror universe can mark their calendars, as the highly anticipated prequel series It: Welcome to Derry is set to premiere on October 26, 2025, on HBO. The series will explore the dark history of the cursed town and the ancient evil that lurks beneath it. A new red band trailer has been released, offering a deeper and more shocking look at the return of Bill Skarsgård as the terrifying Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
The Story Behind the New Series
It: Welcome to Derry serves as a direct prequel to the 2017 film It and its 2019 sequel, It Chapter Two. The story is set predominantly in 1962 and begins when a boy’s disappearance coincides with a new family moving to Derry, Maine. This event awakens a timeless evil, leading to very bad things happening in the town. The series expands on the vision of the films, delving into the origins of the child-killing entity and the town’s long history with it.
The series was developed by Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, the director and producer behind the two recent It films, alongside Jason Fuchs, who also worked on It Chapter Two. The trio also acts as executive producers. Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane serve as the showrunners for the series, with Andy Muschietti directing the first several episodes.
Bill Skarsgård Returns as the Iconic Clown
A key piece of news for fans is the return of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. Skarsgård will not only reprise his role but also serve as an executive producer on the project. His return confirms that the series will maintain a direct connection to the aesthetic and terror of the modern films. The idea for the prequel began during the making of It: Chapter 2, stemming from conversations between Skarsgård and Andy Muschietti about the character’s backstory.
“Bill and I were fantasizing about the character of Bob Gray and an origin story,” Andy Muschietti said. “There was an enthusiasm to go back and explore the complexities of this character.”
The series cast also includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, and Stephen Rider in main roles, with Madeleine Stowe and Rudy Mancuso appearing in recurring capacities.
A Deeper Dive into Stephen King’s Mythology
Welcome to Derry draws inspiration from a specific part of Stephen King’s original 1986 novel. The show is based on the ‘Interlude’ chapters from the book, which detail the history of Derry and the cyclical tragedies that occur every 27 to 30 years when the entity known as It awakens. Stephen King himself endorsed the project, stating, “I’m glad Andy Muschietti is going to be overseeing the frightening festivities, along with a brain trust including his talented sister, Barbara. Red balloons all around!”
The producers have a larger plan for the series beyond the first season. The intention is to have a multi-season story that moves backward in time.
“The second season will be in 1935,” Andy Muschietti revealed. “At the end of Season 1, we are hinting at the reason why we are going to tell the story in two more seasons and backwards.”
This approach will allow the show to explore different eras of Derry’s dark past and further expand on the mythology of Pennywise.
New Trailer Raises the Stakes
The recently released red band trailer promises a series that aims to be even more intense and shocking than the films. It provides a fuller look at Skarsgård’s Pennywise and the atmosphere of terror in 1960s Derry. The trailer highlights the show’s commitment to practical horror effects and building a pervasive sense of dread.
The filmmakers have stated their goal to push boundaries with the series. Andy Muschietti explained the intention behind the show’s opening scene, which sets the tone for what’s to come.
“We wanted to raise the bar higher in terms of shock value. It’s about a self-imposed mandate of opening with an event that is shocking enough that you put the audience in a position where nothing is taken for granted, where nothing is safe in this world.”
The series will also tap into the specific fears of the 1960s, such as the pervasive paranoia of the Cold War and the threat of nuclear annihilation, using this historical context to amplify the horror.
Connecting to a Larger World
It: Welcome to Derry is not just a simple prequel. The series is expected to connect to the wider Stephen King universe, known to fans as the “Macroverse.” In King’s books, many of his stories are loosely connected through cosmic entities and a multiverse. The series may explore concepts and beings from other King works, potentially including The Dark Tower series. This opens the door for a richer, more interconnected live-action adaptation of King’s horror landscape.
Also Read: It: Welcome To Derry Aims for Shocking Horror in HBO Prequel
