7.8/10
78% Critics / 80% Audience
Premiering on October 26, 2025, It: Welcome to Derry is a supernatural horror television series based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel It. Acting as a prequel to Andy Muschietti’s It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019), the show expands the mythos of Derry, Maine — a town where evil resurfaces every generation.
Developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the series delves into the origins of both Pennywise the Dancing Clown and the dark, sentient curse that poisons Derry. Set in 1962, the show blends cosmic horror, Cold War paranoia, and psychological dread to explore how Pennywise’s influence first seeped into the fabric of the town.
The series features Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, and Clara Stack, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise — returning not just as an actor but also as an executive producer. With Muschietti once again behind the camera, the show carries the eerie visual language of the films, transforming nostalgia and small-town Americana into something nightmarish.
It: Welcome to Derry (2025) – Official Trailer
What Is “It: Welcome to Derry” About?
Set decades before the events of the It films, Welcome to Derry opens in 1962 — a time of postwar optimism shadowed by Cold War fears. A family’s mysterious arrival in Derry coincides with the disappearance of a local boy named Matty Clements, setting off a chain of increasingly horrifying events.
As military operations ramp up around the town, Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) and his wife Charlotte (Taylour Paige) discover that Derry’s evil extends beyond racial tension, paranoia, and small-town corruption — something monstrous is awakening. Their son, Will, befriends a group of local kids, including Lilly Bainbridge (Clara Stack) and Ronnie Grogan (Amanda Christine), whose terrifying visions suggest that a supernatural entity is manipulating their fears.
The military’s involvement introduces another layer of mystery, with General Francis Shaw (James Remar) and Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) — a clairvoyant soldier connected to The Shining universe — investigating a “weapon” that feeds on terror. But as the investigation deepens, it becomes clear that Derry itself may be the true source of evil.
And in the sewers, beneath the foundations of the town, Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) stirs once more.
The Cast and Characters
The ensemble cast grounds the cosmic terror with emotional realism and human fragility:
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Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon – A strong-willed mother determined to protect her son from both prejudice and the town’s horrors.
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Jovan Adepo as Major Leroy Hanlon – A disciplined U.S. Army officer haunted by Derry’s darkness; ancestor of Mike Hanlon from the It films.
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James Remar as General Francis Shaw – A powerful yet morally conflicted general seeking a supernatural weapon to end the Cold War.
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Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann – A psychic soldier with “the shining,” tying It to The Shining and Doctor Sleep.
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Clara Stack as Lilly Bainbridge – A grieving girl whose visions connect her directly to Pennywise’s reawakening.
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Amanda Christine as Ronnie Grogan – The daughter of a local projectionist, brave yet scarred by Derry’s terrors.
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Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the Dancing Clown – The ancient, shape-shifting predator who feeds on fear and manipulates the town from the shadows.
The supporting cast includes Stephen Rider, Peter Outerbridge, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso, adding layers of tension, paranoia, and dread that ripple through the series.
Production and Development
The idea for It: Welcome to Derry was first reported in March 2022, with the Muschiettis and Jason Fuchs attached to develop the show for HBO Max (later HBO). The network officially greenlit the project in February 2023, and Andy Muschietti directed several episodes, including the pilot.
Filming began in May 2023 across Toronto, Hamilton, and Port Hope, using the production title Greetings from Fairview — the same towns that doubled as Derry in the It films. Production was briefly halted due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, but resumed in 2024.
Muschietti revealed that the show was inspired by the interlude chapters of King’s original novel, which chronicle Derry’s recurring horrors across centuries. He confirmed that the series is planned as a three-season arc, set in 1962, 1935, and 1908, respectively — gradually uncovering both Pennywise’s origin and the metaphysical curse that keeps Derry in its grip.
Themes and Atmosphere
It: Welcome to Derry deepens the mythology of Stephen King’s most iconic creation by merging supernatural horror with historical and social themes.
1. The Birth of Evil:
The first season examines how Pennywise’s cycle of terror began, exploring the idea that Derry itself is a living entity, feeding on human misery long before Pennywise took form.
2. Fear as Power:
Like the films, the show’s horror is emotional and psychological — a commentary on how fear, prejudice, and guilt give power to darkness.
3. The Cold War Connection:
By framing the story during the early 1960s, the show parallels global paranoia with local hysteria, suggesting that Pennywise’s influence thrives when society is most afraid.
4. Childhood vs. Corruption:
As in King’s original novel, innocence and friendship stand in contrast to adult neglect, violence, and denial — reinforcing that fear grows when truth is buried.
5. The Curse of Derry:
The series introduces the idea that Pennywise is not just a monster, but a manifestation of Derry’s own sins — a reflection of its cyclical cruelty and moral decay.
Why You Should Watch “It: Welcome to Derry”
For fans of Stephen King and the It duology, this prequel offers both familiarity and fresh terror.
Here’s why it’s worth watching:
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Bill Skarsgård returns: His chilling portrayal of Pennywise remains as unnerving as ever.
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Expanded mythology: The series explores new facets of Derry’s history and Pennywise’s existence.
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Gorgeous horror visuals: Andy Muschietti’s signature blend of surreal imagery and emotional tension shines throughout.
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A strong ensemble cast: Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige deliver grounded performances amid chaos.
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A new era of King horror: It bridges It, The Shining, and Doctor Sleep, expanding the Stephen King cinematic universe.
Whether you loved the films or simply enjoy slow-burn psychological horror, Welcome to Derry delivers both scares and substance — proving that Derry’s nightmare was always bigger than one clown.
Is “It: Welcome to Derry” Worth Watching?
Yes — though opinions among critics vary, the consensus is clear: It: Welcome to Derry offers a chilling, ambitious expansion of the It universe.
The series succeeds in deepening the lore without losing the claustrophobic fear that defined the films. The performances, especially from Paige, Adepo, and Skarsgård, add humanity and dread in equal measure. The slower pace and historical focus might not appeal to everyone, but for viewers intrigued by Derry’s cursed history, this is must-see television.
HBO’s production values ensure that every scene feels cinematic, while Benjamin Wallfisch’s haunting score evokes both tragedy and terror. The result is a horror epic that’s both grotesque and poetic — an unsettling reflection on America’s fear of the unknown, both supernatural and societal.
Reception and Critical Response
Upon release, It: Welcome to Derry earned generally positive reviews:
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Rotten Tomatoes: 78% approval rating based on 112 reviews.
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Consensus: “While scattered plotting occasionally drains the fear from its chilling premise, It: Welcome to Derry compellingly deepens the myth of Pennywise through sharp social commentary, a dreadful atmosphere, and committed performances.”
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Metacritic: 61/100 — “Generally favorable reviews.”
Critic Highlights:
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Collider praised the adult cast, especially Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo, while noting that the children’s storyline lacked the charm of the 2017 film’s Losers Club.
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Polygon called it “an excellent prequel” that expands Derry’s lore and portrays Pennywise’s control over the town in disturbingly new ways.
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/Film admired the show’s graphic intensity but warned that it overexplains certain mysteries best left unsolved.
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Slate described it as “a baffling, half-baked mess” with uneven writing but credited its standout horror sequences.
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The Guardian gave it three stars out of five, commending its ambition and disturbing imagery while cautioning that its visceral horror may exceed some viewers’ tolerance.
Despite mixed details, the consensus leans toward admiration for its ambition and atmosphere — proving that Pennywise’s shadow still looms large over modern horror.
Audience Response and Viewership
The premiere episode attracted 5.7 million viewers in its first three days, making it the third most-watched HBO debut of all time — trailing only House of the Dragon and The Last of Us. The show’s weekly release format has kept social media engagement high, with fans debating theories about Derry’s origins and Pennywise’s true nature.
It: Welcome to Derry (2025) FAQ
Is “It: Welcome to Derry” connected to the 2017 and 2019 films?
Yes. It’s set decades before the films, sharing the same continuity and visual style under Andy Muschietti’s direction.
Is Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise?
Yes. Skarsgård reprises his role and also serves as an executive producer.
How many seasons are planned?
Three. Each will explore a different era in Derry’s history — 1962, 1935, and 1908.
Does Stephen King have involvement?
While not directly involved, King has endorsed the series, expressing support for its expansion of his original story.
Where can I watch it?
The series is available exclusively on HBO, with episodes streaming weekly.
Conclusion
It: Welcome to Derry marks the terrifying return of one of horror’s most iconic settings. By combining historical fiction, psychological terror, and supernatural myth, the series honors Stephen King’s legacy while expanding it in bold new directions.
Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise remains an unforgettable embodiment of fear, but what makes the series truly chilling is its exploration of Derry itself — a town that seems alive, malevolent, and hungry.
Darkly atmospheric, socially aware, and relentlessly eerie, Welcome to Derry reminds us that the true horror isn’t just the clown in the sewer — it’s the fear that lives beneath every town, every decade, and every human heart.
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