It: Welcome to Derry introduced Stephen King fans to a younger Dick Hallorann, the telepathic chef better known from The Shining. After the season finale, there is a growing conversation among viewers about giving this character his own story. Chris Chalk, who played Hallorann in the series, has shared that he supports the idea.
Who is Dick Hallorann in the Stephen King Universe?
Dick Hallorann is an important character in Stephen King’s connected stories. Many fans first met him as the head chef at the Overlook Hotel in King’s 1977 novel The Shining and its famous 1980 film adaptation. He is gifted with a psychic ability called “the Shine,” which allows him to sense thoughts and see the past and future.
His story continued decades later in the sequel novel and film Doctor Sleep. It: Welcome to Derry, which is a prequel to the recent It films, shows a much younger version of the character. The series is set in 1962 and explores his early life as an airman, long before his time at the Overlook Hotel. This portrayal by actor Chris Chalk showed viewers how Hallorann discovered and struggled with his powerful abilities.
How Welcome to Derry Set Up a Future for Hallorann
The first season of It: Welcome to Derry ended with a clear path for Dick Hallorann’s future. After the climactic events in the town of Derry, the character decides to leave. He tells others he is going to London and plans to work as a chef at a hotel. For fans of The Shining, this is a direct connection to his eventual job at the Overlook Hotel in Colorado.
This ending does not show a character who has fully healed. Chris Chalk discussed Hallorann’s mental state, noting the trauma from his fight with the creature Pennywise. “Because even once the show’s over, he’s by no means fixed. He’s just broke. He just broke five minutes ago, so I predict that Dick is not well at all still,” Chalk explained. This suggests many challenging years for Hallorann between leaving Derry and arriving at the Overlook.
Fan Reaction and Social Media Support for a Spin-off
Since the season ended, many viewers have shared their desire for more of Chris Chalk’s Dick Hallorann. On social media platforms like Facebook, fans are asking for a series that bridges the gap between It: Welcome to Derry and The Shining.
One fan commented, “I’d love to see them do a show or movie of his time when he just gets to the overlook. Like a prequel to the shining.” Another simply stated, “I neeeeed a spin off for halloran he easily became my favorite character”. This online discussion shows a strong audience interest in exploring the character’s untold story.
What the Actor and Showrunner Have Said
The interest is not just coming from fans. Chris Chalk has actively talked about the possibility. In an interview, he confirmed he has suggested the idea to those involved with the series. “I’ve pitched it!” Chalk said. “I have also said, ‘Hey, Dick can kind of do anything. Now that he’s connected to the universe, there’s no need to disconnect him’”.
Jason Fuchs, a co-showrunner for It: Welcome to Derry, has also shown curiosity about the character’s future. He pointed out the open-ended nature of Hallorann’s departure, noting he says he’s going to London, not directly to Colorado. Fuchs said, “What are those intervening chapters in Dick Halloran’s life? I don’t know whether any of those questions will be answered, but it’s fun just to think about them. And who knows?”.
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The History of a Hallorann Project and Potential for the Future
The idea of a project focused on Dick Hallorann is not new. Following the release of the film Doctor Sleep in 2019, director Mike Flanagan was developing a prequel series centered on the character. That project was ultimately not made, partly due to the film’s box office results. The success and positive reception of It: Welcome to Derry, along with Chris Chalk’s praised performance, has led some to believe the time might be right to revisit the idea.
There are several directions a potential spin-off could take. It could follow Hallorann’s journey across the world, exploring how he masters his “Shine” while dealing with the trauma from Derry. It could also detail his eventual arrival and early days at the Overlook Hotel, setting the stage for the events of The Shining. Given the established 15-year gap between the end of Welcome to Derry and the start of The Shining, there is a significant period of time for new stories.
“I’ve pitched it! I have also said, ‘Hey, Dick can kind of do anything. Now that he’s connected to the universe, there’s no need to disconnect him.’” – Chris Chalk on a potential Dick Hallorann spin-off.
As of now, there is no official announcement from HBO or the producers about a Dick Hallorann spin-off. The main focus appears to be on the future seasons of It: Welcome to Derry itself. The series, which premiered on October 26, 2025, has been generally well-received and is streaming on HBO Max. The creators have discussed plans for additional seasons that would explore earlier time periods in Derry’s terrifying history.
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