While a major Hollywood strike caused big problems for the makers of the horror show IT: Welcome to Derry, for one actor, the shutdown turned into a surprising gift. Stephen Rider, who plays the role of Hank Grogan in the HBO series, recently explained how the 2023 actors’ and writers’ strikes helped him build a much stronger and more real connection with his young co-star, Amanda Christine, who plays his on-screen daughter, Ronnie.
Rider shared his thoughts on The Official It: Welcome to Derry Podcast, calling the extended work stoppage the “biggest blessing” for their relationship. The actor said the forced break from filming gave them time they would not have normally had. They used this time to talk often and build a genuine, trusting bond that went far beyond just acting together on set. This real-life closeness then translated directly into their performances when filming finally resumed.
How the Strike Forged a Real Father-Daughter Bond
The story of Hank and Ronnie Grogan is central to the new series. Hank is a movie projectionist in the town of Derry, and a widowed father trying to protect his daughter from the evil that haunts their town. For Rider and Christine, building a believable family dynamic was crucial. However, they had only completed a very small amount of filming together before the entire industry shut down in July 2023.
Rider explained that the strike created an unexpected opportunity. Without the usual rush of a production schedule, they were able to slow down and focus on getting to know each other as people. They stayed in touch through regular video calls, discussing not just the show but their personal lives.
“I think the biggest blessing is that we came back and we had a genuine relationship that transcended, just me and her,” Rider said on the podcast. “Our families know each other, and we still talk. And so, I love Amanda. And I didn’t have to pretend on loving her.”
He emphasized that the bond was especially meaningful because it involved building real trust. Rider noted the importance of Christine, a young Black actress, being able to lean on him and depend on him both on and off the set. This foundation of trust made their on-screen father-daughter relationship feel natural and true.
The Other Side: Major Production Challenges Caused by the Strike
While Rider found a silver lining, the creators and producers of IT: Welcome to Derry faced enormous logistical challenges because of the long filming delay. Co-creator Barbara Muschietti revealed that about 90% of three full episodes had already been shot when production was forced to stop. When the strikes ended and filming could restart in 2024, the production team had to solve several major problems.
One of the biggest issues was the change of seasons. The show is set during the summer, but because of the delay, the cast and crew returned to film during a different time of year. This forced the writers to change the planned finale to account for a different climate and setting.
Another significant challenge involved the young cast members. “The kids were growing. Voices were changing,” Muschietti explained. For a story centered on children, the physical changes in the actors over the many months of the strike created continuity issues. Additionally, securing the actors for the new filming schedule became very difficult, as many had moved on to other projects. Muschietti summed up the situation as a “huge challenge for the studio”.
Also Read:
About ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ and Where to Watch
IT: Welcome to Derry is a prequel series to the popular It films from 2017 and 2019. It is based on the classic horror novel by Stephen King. The story goes back to 1962, exploring the origins of the shape-shifting evil entity known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Bill Skarsgård returns to play the terrifying role of Pennywise.
The series follows new residents arriving in the haunted town of Derry, Maine, just as a local boy disappears. The cast includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, and James Remar, alongside Stephen Rider and Amanda Christine.
The show premiered on October 26, 2025, and new episodes are released every Sunday on HBO and the streaming service Max. The first season is scheduled to run for eight episodes, with the finale set for December 14, 2025. For fans following weekly, Episode 6 is set to air on November 30, 2025.
Also Read: Stranger Things Season 5: Your Complete Guide To The Finale Release Times Worldwide
