Fans of Stephen King’s terrifying universe got a surprise treat just in time for Halloween. HBO Max released the second episode of It: Welcome to Derry early, moving its debut to Friday, October 31. This special scheduling allows viewers to spend Halloween night with Pennywise. The episode titled “The Thing in the Dark” became available on the streaming platform at 12:00 AM PT / 3:00 AM ET. It will still air on the HBO cable channel as originally planned on Sunday, November 2, at 9:00 PM ET/PT. This early release is a one-time event for the holiday, with the rest of the season’s episodes returning to the regular Sunday schedule.
Why Episode 2 Arrived Early
The decision to release the second episode early is a direct gift to fans for Halloween. A show representative confirmed this was a “one-off exception tied to the holiday”. This strategy capitalizes on the spooky spirit of October 31, giving subscribers a new, frightening chapter to stream. The series, which premiered on October 26, is set in the world of Stephen King’s “It” and serves as a prequel to the recent films. Showrunner Jason Fuchs teased the importance of the new episode, stating:
“The entire story of the season is set in motion by what happens at the end of episode 1, this massacre of the Capitol Theater. You’ll see in episode 2 the way the aftershocks of that play out.”
The regular release schedule will resume with subsequent episodes. The eight-episode season will continue weekly, leading up to the season finale on Sunday, December 14.
A Look Back at the Shocking Series Premiere
The first episode, which set the stage for this early release, was a brutal and surprising introduction to 1960s Derry. Set in 1962, the premiere followed a group of children who begin to suspect something is wrong in their town after the disappearance of a boy named Matty. The episode ended with a massive twist that stunned viewers. In a gruesome sequence at the local movie theater, Pennywise attacked the children. The creature brutally killed most of the young characters who audiences believed were the main protagonists. This bold move established that no one is safe in Derry. The only survivors from the initial group were two girls, Ronnie and Lilly, setting them up as central figures in the story. The premiere effectively used its 1960s setting to explore societal fears, paralleling the horror of Pennywise with the real-world tensions of the era.
The Creative Team and Future Plans
The series was developed for television by the same filmmakers behind the “It” movies, Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, along with Jason Fuchs. Andy Muschietti also directed multiple episodes. The show brings back Bill Skarsgård to play the sinister clown Pennywise, a role he originated in the two recent films. The cast also includes Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, and James Remar. The creators have revealed they have a larger plan for the series. They have envisioned a three-season story arc that would explore different cycles of Pennywise’s terror throughout history. The plan involves setting future seasons in 1935 and 1908, diving deeper into the long and dark history of Derry.
How to Watch the New Episode
For those looking to get their Halloween scare, Episode 2 is now available to stream exclusively on HBO Max. The episode will also play on the linear HBO channel on Sunday, November 2, at its regular time. The series is produced by HBO and Warner Bros. Television and is based on the characters from Stephen King’s classic novel.
Also Read: IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 1 Recap: A Shocking Twist and a Missing Clown
