The evil clown Pennywise returns in IT: Welcome to Derry, a chilling HBO prequel series that premiered Oct. 26, 2025. Directors Andy and Barbara Muschietti revealed an ambitious three-season epic plan. The show explores Derry’s dark history across 1962, 1935, and 1908. Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as the dancing clown.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Premiere Date: Oct. 26, 2025 on HBO and HBO Max
- Episode Count: 8 episodes in season 1 finale on Dec. 14
- Three-Season Plan: Set in 1962, 1935, and 1908
- Cast: Bill Skarsgård, Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk
- Streaming: New episodes every Sunday night on both HBO and HBO Max
What Happened in the Premiere
IT: Welcome to Derry opens with shocking intensity and graphic horror sequences. The episode introduces Major Leroy Hanlon, played by Jovan Adepo, and his wife Charlotte, portrayed by Taylour Paige. The couple relocates to Derry, Maine in 1962 after military duty. What initially appears normal quickly becomes deeply disturbing. The show immediately establishes that nobody is safe in this dangerous town. Early sequences feature grotesque creature attacks that kill off major characters unexpectedly.
“Our big story arc involves three seasons, mainly based on the three critical cycles of Pennywise, which are 1962, 1935 and 1908.”
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The premiere features a horrifying cold open where a demonic baby attacks an 11-year-old boy in brutal fashion. Directors crafted this opening to establish tone and stakes immediately. The finale twist eliminates half the ensemble cast viewers expected to follow throughout the series. This subversion proves nobody gets plot armor in Derry’s twisted reality.
Three-Season Plans and Long-Term Vision
The Muschietti team, alongside writer Jason Fuchs, designed Welcome to Derry as an ambitious three-season exploration of Pennywise’s history. Season 1 focuses on 1962, examining the previous generation. Season 2 will jump back to 1935. Season 3 will go even deeper to 1908. This reverse-chronology approach tells Pennywise’s story backwards through time.
Director Andy Muschietti explained the creative inspiration came from Stephen King’s novel. “I went into the book and looked at the interludes,” he revealed. “I realized there was a hidden story there, and that Stephen King was leaving crumbs that could guide us somewhere. It’s a story told backwards.” The show expands lore only hinted at in the films. Viewers will encounter mythology about cosmic events, divine beings, and Derry’s colonial history.
The series doesn’t simply repeat the 2017 and 2019 film storylines. Instead, it deepens the universe with new characters, fresh conflicts, and unexplored mythology. Stephen King reportedly was “mystified” by this approach initially but understood the creative vision. The prequel format allows exploration of events the books only briefly mentioned. Expect Easter eggs teasing future seasons.
Streaming Schedule and Episode Details
Here’s the complete release schedule for IT: Welcome to Derry‘s first season:
| Episode | Air Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 (Premiere) | Oct. 26 | 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT |
| Episode 2 | Nov. 2 | 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT |
| Episode 3 | Nov. 9 | 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT |
| Episode 4 | Nov. 16 | 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT |
| Episode 5 | Nov. 23 | 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT |
| Episode 6 | Nov. 30 | 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT |
| Episode 7 | Dec. 7 | 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT |
| Episode 8 (Finale) | Dec. 14 | 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT |
IT: Welcome to Derry is available on both HBO cable and HBO Max streaming platform. New episodes drop weekly every Sunday night. All 8 episodes will conclude by December 14. The series is not following a binge-release model. Instead, viewers get weekly episodes through December. You can watch on cable HBO at 9 PM ET or stream on HBO Max starting at the same time.
Themes and Social Commentary
Unlike the films, the prequel dives deep into social issues and historical injustice. Derry‘s racist past plays a central role in the first episode. Major Leroy Hanlon faces immediate discrimination as a Black officer arriving in the predominantly white town. The show expands Stephen King’s exploration of how human evil mirrors supernatural evil. According to Andy Muschietti, the author is “very sensitive to social injustice.” Barbara Muschietti noted: “A lot of us are in a state of alarm because awareness matters now.” The show reflects our current cultural moment.
The series treats Pennywise’s evil as connected to Derry‘s own darkness. The town’s founding involved colonial displacement of Native American populations. Supernatural evil seems to feed on and amplify human cruelty. This thematic approach differs significantly from the films, which focused primarily on personal trauma and childhood fears. The prequel series tackles systemic injustice, racism, and societal corruption as core narrative elements driving the horror.
What To Watch For in Coming Episodes
- More shocking deaths and rule-breaking moments designed to keep audiences guessing.
- Deeper exploration of Pennywise‘s origins and motivations across different time periods.
- Revelation of Peter-related mysteries and the meaning of recurring turtle imagery and symbolism.
- Character development among the surviving ensemble members introduced in the premiere.
- Connections to events from the 2017 and 2019 films and how they set up the future.
Does This Prequel Live Up to the Franchise?
Early critical reactions suggest IT: Welcome to Derry delivered on promises of scares. The premiere shocked viewers with its unpredictability and graphic practical effects.
Some reviewers initially questioned whether the premise justified a full series, but the three-season framework offers ambitious storytelling scope. The show subverts typical horror tropes by eliminating expected heroes early. This strategy keeps tension high throughout the season. Will IT: Welcome to Derry surpass the 2017 and 2019 films? That depends entirely on how the Muschietti team executes the remaining seven episodes and future seasons.
The series has already proven it’s willing to take major creative risks. Directors killed beloved characters before audiences could emotionally invest in them. This unpredictability elevates the stakes significantly. Longtime It fans now realize nobody gets plot armor here. That approach feels fresh and genuinely dangerous compared to typical horror television.
Will Streaming or Cable Watching Work Better?
Both platforms offer the same experience and air simultaneously. HBO Max works better if you want to pause or rewatch tense moments. The cable broadcast on HBO offers the live communal experience many horror fans prefer. Both premiere at 9 PM ET each Sunday. You can watch official trailers and behind-the-scenes content on both platforms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKa6u7LT0qE
Sources
- Variety – Exclusive interview with directors Andy and Barbara Muschietti on three-season plans and premiere twists
- Deadline Hollywood – Complete release schedule and episode rollout information for IT: Welcome to Derry
- HBO Max – Official streaming platform for the full prequel series
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Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.