Bill Skarsgård has opened up about his initial reluctance to return as the terrifying clown Pennywise for the HBO prequel series It: Welcome to Derry. The actor, whose portrayal became iconic across two successful films, admitted he was worried about overextending the story. He ultimately agreed after seeing the new creative plan, which promised to explore unseen parts of the character.
The actor explained his thought process, stating a desire to protect the legacy of the films. “We did the two movies, and they were very successful,” Skarsgård recalled thinking. He expressed a clear concern that “you don’t want to milk this one out with a TV show” that might not live up to what came before. His hesitation mirrored the feelings of many Stephen King fans, especially after the mixed reaction to 2019’s It: Chapter Two.
What Changed Bill Skarsgård’s Mind About Returning
The creative vision for It: Welcome to Derry is what ultimately convinced Skarsgård to put the clown makeup back on. Co-created by Andy Muschietti, who directed the two films, the series presented specific new material for the character. Once Skarsgård saw the plan, he recognized an opportunity to evolve Pennywise beyond what was shown in the movies.
Skarsgård said he was “more hesitant about it going into it than going out of it,” finding the actual experience of filming the series rewarding. He credited his strong working relationship with Muschietti as a key factor. “Andy and I always have fun together,” Skarsgård shared. The promise of showing new sides of Pennywise in what he called “juicy” scenes helped overcome his initial doubts.
Exploring New Layers of Pennywise in the Prequel Series
It: Welcome to Derry is set in 1962, years before the Losers Club confronts the creature in the films. The prequel format allowed the creative team to explore the ancient entity’s earlier feeding cycle and its cosmic origins. For Skarsgård, this meant a chance to perform scenes that revealed different aspects of the monster’s personality.
One particular scene that excited the actor was a flashback to 1908, showing the moment the entity encounters and assumes the form of a drunken, failed clown named Bob Gray. Skarsgård described finding this exploration surprisingly fun and layered. “That scene is very different from the sort of, ‘Oh my darling, I love you,’ the scene he has with his daughter,” he noted, referring to another moment in the series. This variety convinced him there were more dimensions to the character worth exploring.
Stephen King’s Involvement and Fan Reaction
A significant factor in building confidence for the project was the involvement of Stephen King himself. The legendary author praised the series, calling it “amazing” ahead of its premiere. King had expressed early excitement when the series was announced, endorsing Andy Muschietti’s leadership.
The show’s positive reception after its October 26, 2025 debut helped validate the decision. It: Welcome to Derry earned strong reviews from critics and became a ratings hit for HBO and HBO Max. Its debut was the third-most-watched series premiere on HBO Max, trailing only major titles like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us. The season finale became the show’s most-watched episode.
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The Future of Pennywise and It: Welcome to Derry
The first season of It: Welcome to Derry ended with a twist that sets the stage for more story. The series has plans to continue moving backward in time, with potential future seasons set in 1935 and 1908. Skarsgård has expressed openness to continuing the journey, intrigued by the new layers he and the team discovered.
“I think that the scene where Bob Gray is talking to IT as the child was the one that I think we had some of the most fun with,” Skarsgård said. “We just laughed at a lot of things that came out and things that we improvised and stuff… So I thought it was like, ‘Okay, well, there might be layers to this guy.’ And who knows, we might see more of him in the future.”
The actor’s return, once uncertain, now seems like a natural step in expanding the mythology of Derry. The series also features a large new cast, including Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and Chris Chalk. With its successful first season complete, the focus shifts to whether HBO will officially greenlight more chapters of the prequel story.
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