Tension’s building as IT: Welcome To Derry hits HBO Oct. 26 with 8 episodes – and Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise before Halloween promises to reveal the clown’s origin story fans have been waiting for.
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IT: Welcome To Derry premieres Oct. 26 on HBO and HBO Max at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, launching an 8-episode season that runs weekly through Dec. 14. The series lands just before Halloween, giving horror fans their most anticipated prequel of 2025.
Set in 1962, the show takes place 27 years before the events of 2017’s IT film. Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise while also executive producing. The cast includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, and Stephen Rider.
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Directors Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti – who helmed the films that earned $1.17 billion worldwide – developed the series with Jason Fuchs. Andy Muschietti directs multiple episodes including the pilot.
Why Horror Fans Worry More Than Casual Viewers About Pennywise’s Limited Screen Time
Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise won’t appear in full clown form constantly, and that’s got IT fans talking differently than casual horror viewers. Andy Muschietti told SFX Magazine the show uses a Jaws-style approach – building tension before the monster’s big reveal.
The strategy matters because Pennywise is a shapeshifter. Muschietti explained the creative choice: building anticipation around a monster audiences already know creates a different kind of dread.
“It’s very appropriate for a monster that is a shapeshifter to appear in several different shapes and manifestations before he shows up as a clown. The idea is building tension around the apparition of a monster that we know already, and people are waiting – when is it going to appear?” — Andy Muschietti, SFX Magazine.
Lock These 4 IT Universe Details Before Oct. 26 Premiere – Step By Step
You’ve got days before IT: Welcome To Derry launches Oct. 26. Here’s what to know about the series that expands Stephen King’s universe beyond the films.
| Step | Detail | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watch IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019) for context on Pennywise’s 27-year cycle | Oct. 25 |
| 2 | Subscribe to HBO Max to catch Oct. 26 premiere at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT | Oct. 26 |
| 3 | Mark calendar for weekly episodes through Dec. 14 finale | Now |
| 4 | Read Stephen King’s IT novel interlude chapters (series basis per Andy Muschietti) | Oct. 25 |
Watch For These 3 Signals Before Dec. 14 As Welcome To Derry Tests HBO’s Horror Strategy
HBO’s decision to launch IT: Welcome To Derry before Halloween sets up a 7-week run through mid-December. Here’s what to watch as the series unfolds.
Social media buzz during premiere week Oct. 26-Nov. 2 – if mentions cross 1M on X, that signals cultural breakthrough beyond IT film fans.
HBO Max subscriber adds in Q4 2025 report (expected January 2026) – watch for growth tied to horror content strategy as the platform competes with Netflix and Disney Plus.
Season 2 renewal announcement timing – if HBO greenlights another 27-year cycle (set in 1935) before Dec. 14 finale, that confirms the anthology format works for Stephen King’s universe expansion.
Will Pennywise’s Origin Story Deliver What IT Films Left Out Before Halloween?
Bill Skarsgård was initially hesitant to return as Pennywise. Andy Muschietti revealed the actor had “played a lot of very dark characters” and worried about the toll. But Skarsgård agreed because he wanted to explore Pennywise’s backstory as Bob Gray.
That backstory becomes the stakes for IT: Welcome To Derry. The films earned $1.17 billion without diving into the clown’s origins. Now the series promises to answer what the movies couldn’t.
Will 8 episodes set in 1962 reveal enough about Pennywise to justify Bill Skarsgård’s return – or will fans want more when the season ends Dec. 14?
SOURCES
- https://deadline.com/2025/09/it-welcome-to-derry-release-date-hbo-max-1236504081/
- https://gizmodo.com/welcome-to-derry-will-make-you-wait-for-full-pennywise-2000667854
- https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/it-welcome-to-derry-co-creator-gets-candid-challenge-getting-bill-skarsgard-return-pennywise
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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.
Ever met someone who thinks Pennywises limited screen time in Welcome to Derry wont float our horror-loving boats? I mean, cmon, isnt the anticipation scarier than the clown himself? Like waiting for your Hogwarts letter but with more red balloons. Thoughts?
Ever notice how Pennywise lurks in the darkest corners of your mind long after the screen fades to black? Is his limited screen time a strategic move to haunt our thoughts until the next episode? Whats your take on this eerie mind game?
Ever heard of a town scarier than the horror movie itself? Once, a friend dared me to visit Derry, Maine, claiming Pennywise lurked behind every corner. Now, with IT: Welcome To Derry landing on HBO, I wonder if Ill get the courage to watch. What about you?
I swear, every time I watch a horror series, I end up sleeping with the lights on for weeks. Will IT: Welcome to Derry give me nightmares for the rest of the year, or will Pennywises limited screen time let me off easy? Any horror fans feeling the pre-show jitters too?
You know, horror series can really mess with your head sometimes. Its like youre all tough during the day, but as soon as the sun sets, youre checking under the bed for monsters like youre twelve again. *chuckles*
As for IT: Welcome to Derry, Pennywise sure knows how to creep into your dreams. But hey, maybe his limited screen time will be a blessing in disguise. Less time on screen, less time to haunt your thoughts, right? Or will the suspense just make it worse? Any horror fans out there feeling those pre-show jitters, or are you all bravely ready to face the terror head-on?
Ever met someone whos more scared of missing out on Pennywise than actually watching him? Horror fans are a different breed, man. Will Welcome To Derry deliver the chills or leave us craving more of that creepy clown? Whos ready for the fright fest?
I know a dude, lets call him Tim, whos more scared of missing out on the latest horror craze than actually watching it. Hell read all the reviews, theories, and memes but wont dare to sit through a horror flick alone. Its like hes addicted to the thrill without wanting to face it head-on. Welcome To Derry? Yeah, it might just feed that craving for the creepy clown chaos. But will it leave us shivering in fear or running for the hills, begging for more? Whos up for diving into the fright fest and braving the jump scares, huh? Whos ready to see if Pennywise still has what it takes to haunt our dreams?
Did you catch the twist in the latest episode of IT: Welcome To Derry Lands? Pennywises chilling reveal had me on the edge of my seat! Who else is eagerly awaiting the next episode to see what unfolds in the eerie town of Derry?
I swear, Pennywises limited screen time in Welcome To Derry better not be a letdown. We need the full creepy clown experience, not just glimpses. Will HBO do justice to the horror fans expectations, or are we in for a disappointment?
Ever hear about that time when the whole town of Derry was haunted by a creepy clown named Pennywise? Now its hitting HBO, and Im both excited and terrified. Will this adaptation do justice to Stephen Kings eerie universe, or will it fall flat like a deflated balloon?