IT: Welcome to Derry is a 2025 American supernatural horror television series that serves as a prequel to both the 2017 film It and its 2019 sequel It Chapter Two. Based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel It, the series explores the dark history of Derry, Maine, decades before the events depicted in the original films.
The project was developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, with Muschietti directing multiple episodes including the pilot. The series debuted on October 26, 2025, with episodes released weekly thereafter on HBO Max.
This expansion of King’s universe brings audiences back to the 1960s, offering fresh perspectives on familiar themes while introducing new characters and storylines rooted in the source material.
IT: Welcome to Derry Release Date and Where to Watch
The series officially premiered on October 26, 2025, with new episodes airing on a weekly schedule thereafter. IT: Welcome to Derry streams exclusively on HBO Max in the United States, making it a key addition to the platform’s horror programming lineup.
Prequel to the It films, set in 1960s Derry
Upcoming 2025 television series
HBO Max
Stephen King’s 1986 novel It
The series was originally intended for a 2024 release on HBO Max but underwent delays before settling on its October 2025 premiere date. This additional production time allowed for completion following the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which temporarily halted filming activities.
IT: Welcome to Derry is available exclusively on HBO Max in the US. International availability varies by region, with Sky handling distribution in some markets. Subscribers can access the series as part of their standard HBO Max subscription.
- Stephen King prequel expanding the It universe established by the 2017 and 2019 films
- Set in the 1960s, predating the Losers’ Club era by several decades
- Season 2 reportedly planned as an adaptation of storyline from King’s novel
- Andy Muschietti, director of the original films, serves as developer and director
- Filming paused during 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, resumed and wrapped August 2024
- Series addresses Derry’s vigilante attack on the Black Spot club
- Positive critical reception noted for direction, production values, and performances
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Supernatural horror |
| Developer | Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs |
| Source Material | Stephen King’s 1986 novel It |
| Premiere Year | 2025 |
| Total Episodes | Not specified |
| IMDb ID | tt19244304 |
IT: Welcome to Derry Cast and Performances
The series features Bill Skarsgård reprising his iconic role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, the malevolent entity that has haunted Derry for centuries. Skarsgård’s portrayal in the original films set a high benchmark for horror performances, and his return brings continuity to the expanded universe.
Taylor Chalk has received notable praise for their performance, with critics highlighting younger actors as particularly strong contributors to the ensemble. The full cast ensemble has been recognized for elevating the material, though detailed casting information remains limited pending the series premiere.
Casting activities began in April 2023, with Skarsgård officially confirmed in May 2024. The production assembled a diverse group of performers to portray both the adult and younger characters central to the prequel’s narrative, though comprehensive cast listings have not been widely published as of the release date.
Reviews have highlighted the performances as a strength, with particular emphasis on the younger cast members, Bill Skarsgård, and Taylor Chalk. However, critics noted that the writing sometimes failed to match the quality of the performances.
IT: Welcome to Derry Episodes and Structure
The series premiered on October 26, 2025, with Episode 1 directed by Andy Muschietti himself. The pilot establishes the prequel’s tone and introduces the audience to Derry’s dark secrets during the 1960s, a period largely unexplored in the original film adaptations.
Episodes have been released on a weekly schedule following the premiere, a common approach for HBO Max original series that allows for audience engagement and discussion between installments.
Episode Format and Details
As of the premiere date, specific episode titles and runtime information had not been widely disclosed. The series appears structured around serialized storytelling, building toward revelations about Derry’s history and the origins of the entity known as Pennywise.
The narrative connects to events referenced in the original films, including the vigilante attack on the Black Spot club, a significant moment in Derry’s troubled history that provides context for the town’s ongoing struggle with supernatural forces.
The total number of episodes for Season 1 has not been officially specified in available sources. Viewers should consult HBO Max for the most current episode information as the season progresses.
Is IT: Welcome to Derry a Movie or TV Series?
IT: Welcome to Derry is a television series, not a film. The production is formatted as a multi-episode season, released weekly on HBO Max beginning October 26, 2025. This distinguishes it from traditional theatrical releases and aligns it with the streaming platform’s preference for serialized content.
The distinction matters for viewer expectations: the series allows for deeper exploration of Derry’s history, character development, and gradual horror escalation across multiple episodes rather than the compressed storytelling of a feature-length production.
Season 2 has reportedly been discussed as part of the project’s expansion, with indications that subsequent seasons may adapt additional storyline elements from Stephen King’s novel, potentially exploring different time periods and characters within the It universe.
Production Timeline and Key Milestones
The development and production of IT: Welcome to Derry spanned several years, encountering both expected production challenges and industry-wide disruptions that affected the filming schedule.
- 1986 – Stephen King publishes the novel It, establishing the story and characters that would later be adapted multiple times.
- 2017 – Andy Muschietti directs It, the first theatrical adaptation, introducing Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise to a wide audience.
- 2019 – It Chapter Two releases, completing the two-film adaptation of King’s novel.
- February 2023 – The project is officially greenlit for development as a prequel series.
- April 2023 – Casting activities begin for the series.
- May 2023 – Filming commences on the production.
- 2023 – Production pauses due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, affecting numerous industry projects.
- May 2024 – Bill Skarsgård’s involvement as Pennywise is officially confirmed.
- August 2024 – Filming wraps following the resolution of production challenges.
- October 26, 2025 – The series premieres on HBO Max.
The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike significantly impacted production timelines across the entertainment industry. IT: Welcome to Derry was among the projects forced to halt filming, contributing to the delay from the originally planned 2024 release to the final October 2025 premiere.
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
As with any developing series, certain information has been officially confirmed while other details remain uncertain or have not been disclosed by production entities.
| Confirmed Information | Unconfirmed or Unclear |
|---|---|
| 2025 release window and October 26 premiere | Exact total episode count for Season 1 |
| Prequel status to the It films | Complete cast listing for all episodes |
| Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise | Detailed episode titles and synopses |
| Development by Muschietti and Fuchs | Specific runtime for individual episodes |
| HBO Max as exclusive streaming platform | International release timeline beyond US |
| Filming wrapped August 2024 | Official confirmation of Season 2 development |
The production has maintained communication through official channels, but pre-release marketing has focused on general series information rather than granular episode details. Viewers interested in comprehensive episode listings should monitor HBO Max’s official resources as the season progresses.
Connection to the Stephen King Universe
IT: Welcome to Derry represents a deliberate expansion of Stephen King’s literary universe within the visual medium. The series draws directly from King’s 1986 novel, adapting material that the original films could only reference briefly due to runtime constraints.
By setting the series in the 1960s, the production can explore historical context that informs the events of the later films. This includes the vigilante attack on the Black Spot club, a traumatic event that shaped Derry’s relationship with both prejudice and supernatural phenomena.
The involvement of Andy Muschietti, who directed both the 2017 and 2019 films, ensures continuity in tone and interpretation of King’s material. His dual role as developer and director on multiple episodes provides creative coherence that audiences familiar with the films may recognize.
Season 2 discussions have referenced additional storylines from the novel, suggesting a long-term commitment to exploring different aspects of King’s narrative across multiple seasons and time periods.
Critical Perspectives and Reception
Initial reviews of IT: Welcome to Derry have presented a mixed but generally favorable assessment of the production. Critics have praised several key elements while identifying areas where the series could have performed more strongly.
“Generally positive reviews praised direction, production values, title sequence, and performances (especially younger actors, Skarsgård, and Taylor Chalk), but criticized writing and visual effects.”
The direction and production values have been consistently highlighted as strengths, with Muschietti’s visual approach receiving particular commendation. The series’ title sequence has also been noted as an effective piece of design that establishes atmosphere before the narrative begins.
Performance-wise, the ensemble cast has drawn positive attention, with Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise satisfying audience expectations while the younger cast members have exceeded them according to critics. Taylor Chalk specifically received multiple mentions for their contribution to the series.
The production faced challenges common to prequel projects: maintaining tension without relying on knowledge of established events while simultaneously serving fans familiar with the original material.
Areas of criticism have focused on writing quality and visual effects, suggesting that the creative team may have spread resources across the series’ ambitious scope in ways that created uneven results. These observations are consistent with typical pre-release assessments and may shift as audiences experience the full season.
Looking Ahead: Future Seasons and Adaptations
The success of IT: Welcome to Derry has prompted discussions about continued development within the series. Season 2 reportedly exists in planning stages, with early indications suggesting adaptation of additional storyline elements from Stephen King’s source novel.
The structure of King’s It novel, which moves between two time periods, provides natural opportunities for future seasons to explore different eras of Derry’s history. Each time period offers distinct narrative possibilities while maintaining connections to the overall mythology established by the original novel and its adaptations.
Viewer response to the first season will likely influence production decisions regarding pacing, casting expansions, and budgetary considerations for subsequent installments. The horror genre’s streaming performance has been positive across platforms, suggesting favorable conditions for the series’ continuation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did IT: Welcome to Derry premiere?
The series premiered on October 26, 2025, with episodes released weekly on HBO Max thereafter.
Is IT: Welcome to Derry available on Netflix?
No. The series streams exclusively on HBO Max in the United States. It is not available on Netflix or other streaming platforms.
How many episodes are in the first season?
The total number of episodes for Season 1 has not been officially specified. Viewers should check HBO Max for current episode information as the season progresses.
Is Bill Skarsgård in IT: Welcome to Derry?
Yes. Bill Skarsgård returns to the role of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, reprising his performance from the 2017 and 2019 films.
What years does the series cover?
IT: Welcome to Derry is set in the 1960s, predating the events of the original It films by several decades.
Will there be a second season?
Season 2 has been discussed in early planning stages, with reports suggesting adaptation of additional storyline elements from Stephen King’s novel. Official confirmation remains pending.
Where can I find the IMDb page for the series?
The series is listed on IMDb with identifier tt19244304, where viewers can find cast information, ratings, and related content.
Is this connected to the Stephen King novel?
Yes. The series is directly based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel It, serving as a prequel that expands upon material referenced but not fully explored in the original film adaptations.
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Leon Carter is Celebrity & Royals Correspondent at CultureObserver.uk, covering celebrity news, royal coverage and red-carpet reporting.