IT prequel TV show: Welcome to Derry plot, cast, and more
Warner Bros.Popular horror franchise IT is getting a prequel TV series, so here’s everything we know about the upcoming show, titled Welcome to Derry.
Author Stephen King first released his novel It back in 1986. Since then, the story of Pennywise the Clown has become one of the most well-known horror narratives of all time.
The character was first brought to the big screen in 1990. More recently, however, It was rebooted and met with both critical and commercial success with the two films It: Chapter 1 and It: Chapter 2.
And while the story’s future on the big screen remains unclear, we do know that a prequel spin-off TV series is just around the corner. Without further ado, here are all the details we know so far about the prequel series.
Welcome to Derry release date: When is it coming out?
While there’s no specific release date for the It prequel series Welcome to Derry, we do know it will debut at some point in 2025.
HBOAccording to a report from Variety, the HBO 2024 slate has been hit with some pretty significant delays, meaning shows like Welcome to Derry are receiving extra delays.
We’ll be sure to keep this section updated as and when new information comes in.
How many episodes are there?
HBO has confirmed Welcome to Derry consists of nine episodes.
There’s currently no word on how long each episode may be or whether they will vary in length. As such, be sure to check back in with this section when we know more.
Welcome to Derry plot: What’s it about?
Welcome to Derry will take place in the 1960s and lead up to the events of IT: Chapter 1. The show is also reportedly going to focus on the origins of Pennywise the Clown, how he came to be, and why IT torments the town and its inhabitants.
HBOTeasing what’s in store for Pennywise, actor Bill Skarsgård, who’s reprising his iconic role, outlined how fans will get to see new sides of “old Pennywise that we haven’t seen,” he said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
Skarsgård then added the show has a dark tone throughout, teasing how”It’s pretty hardcore, man. It’s not the G-rated Pennywise.”
Welcome to Derry planned to last for three seasons
Creator Andy Muschietti revealed he has envisioned the show to be told over three seasons, each outing taking place in a unique time period and drawing inspiration from the “interludes of the book.”
“The interludes are basically chapters that reflect Mike Hanlon’s research. They’re fragments of his research. For 27 years, it’s the guy trying to figure out what it is, what did it, who did it, who saw it, and all that stuff,” began Muschietti when speaking to Radio TU.
He further elaborated, “So they talk about catastrophic events from the past, like the fire in the Black Spot…. the massacre of the Bradley Gang, a gang of bank robbers in the ’30s… and the explosion of the Kitchener Ironworks. Every time [Pennywise] comes out of hibernation, there is a catastrophic event that happens at the beginning of that cycle.”
If Muschietti’s hopes and plans for Welcome to Derry come to fruition, the second season would be set in 1935 and the third would dial the clock back even further to 1908.
Welcome to Derry was originally announced for HBO Max’s rebranded streaming platform Max. However, it was announced on June 25 that the show would instead air on HBO.
Welcome to Derry cast: Who’s in it?
Bill Skarsgård will reprise his role as Pennywise the Clown for Welcome to Derry, though other returnees have yet to be confirmed.
HBOZola star Taylour Paige, Watchmen’s Jovan Adepo, Perry Mason actor Chris Chalk, and James Remar of Dexter fame have also all joined the cast.
Although there are no character details right now, given that the show will be set before the events of the first It film, it is unlikely that we will see any of the original Losers Club making a return. And while we’re still no closer to finding out who’s going to be playing the grimacing villain Pennywise, there are rumors Bill Skarsgård will be back to reprise his role.
As for who’s behind the scenes, the show – which began production in March 2022 – will be executive-produced by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs. Andy Muschietti has much experience with the franchise having directed the 2017 and 2019 films IT: Chapter 1 and IT: Chapter 2.
As well as this, it was confirmed that Jason Fuchs will serve as a co-showrunner for the project alongside Brad Caleb Kane.
Welcome To Derry: Is there a trailer?
While there’s no full-length trailer just yet, we do have our first teaser for Welcome to Derry. Debuting on August 4, 2024, as part of a new HBO Max sizzle reel, we got just six seconds of torment in our first look at the prequel series.
An earlier sizzle reel at the tail end of 2023 also included a few frames of intense Derry terror as well.
In it, you can see a few new characters, as well as a glimpse at the killer clown himself.
Find even more amazing new movies and TV shows streaming this month, or dive into all the new true crime documentaries airing in 2025. If that’s not enough, find out what’s in store this year for K-dramas coming to Netflix.