Pennywise has returned—and this time, we’re heading even deeper into the nightmare.
HBO has dropped the first official teaser for IT: Welcome to Derry, a chilling new prequel series set decades before the events of the blockbuster IT films. Premiering in Fall 2025 on HBO and Max, the show aims to explore the dark, layered history of Derry, Maine and the origins of its most infamous resident: the shape-shifting entity known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
A Terrifying New Era Begins in 1962
The series is set in 1962—27 years before the events of IT: Chapter One. That year holds weight in Stephen King’s lore, marking a period of racial tension, community trauma, and unspeakable horror hidden beneath the town’s facade.
The teaser trailer paints a stark picture: an African American family moves into Derry only to be met with hostile stares and an eerie sense of dread. Their child forms friendships with local kids, but it quickly becomes clear that something is horribly wrong. Children begin to vanish, whispers of a malevolent presence spread, and red balloons—Pennywise’s signature harbinger—float through the streets.
Pennywise Returns — But What Is He This Time?
Bill Skarsgård returns in his haunting role as Pennywise, promising a performance just as unnerving as in the films. While the trailer saves his full reveal for a shocking final moment, fans can expect a deeper exploration of the entity’s terrifying cycles of violence.
The character of Pennywise is not simply a clown but a manifestation of ancient cosmic evil. The series reportedly draws heavily from King’s novel interludes, which chronicle horrific tragedies in Derry’s history—like the racially charged burning of The Black Spot nightclub. These moments hint at how Pennywise has long exploited human cruelty to feed on fear.
New Faces and Returning Visionaries
Welcome to Derry boasts a diverse and talented cast including Taylour Paige (Zola), Jovan Adepo (Watchmen), Chris Chalk (Perry Mason), Stephen Rider, James Remar, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. The fresh ensemble reflects the show’s commitment to blending human drama with supernatural terror.
Behind the camera, the Muschietti siblings—Andy and Barbara—return to expand the IT universe they so successfully brought to life in the 2017 and 2019 films. Andy Muschietti, who directed both IT films, will also direct multiple episodes of the series. Writer and producer Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman) is on board as co-creator.
A Multi-Season Horror Chronicle
This isn’t just a one-season scare. HBO has plans to turn Welcome to Derry into a multi-season exploration of the town’s sinister past. Future seasons may delve into earlier Pennywise outbreaks, potentially including 1935 and even 1908—the year of the disastrous Ironworks explosion mentioned in the novel.
These narrative choices give the show the opportunity to weave real historical events with the supernatural, drawing eerie parallels between societal horrors and the monster beneath the sewers.
Why Welcome to Derry Matters
Unlike the IT films that focus on the Losers’ Club and their confrontation with evil, Welcome to Derry broadens the canvas. It’s about the town itself—its history of denial, buried traumas, and repeating patterns of violence. The horror isn’t just the clown; it’s also the people, the systems, and the secrets they keep.
For longtime Stephen King fans, this series promises to dig into the mythology hinted at in the book but never fully explored onscreen. For newcomers, it will offer a gripping, standalone horror tale grounded in rich storytelling and character work.
With an October 2025 release window, IT: Welcome to Derry is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated horror events of the year. Whether you’re here for the lore, the scares, or Skarsgård’s terrifying grin—this one’s worth floating for.
Key Takeaways
- “IT: Welcome to Derry” is a 1960s-set prequel to the IT franchise featuring Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise.
- The series introduces new characters, including an African American family facing both supernatural horror and racial tension in Maine.
- HBO Max will stream the series in Fall 2025, expanding the mythology of Stephen King’s iconic horror universe.
Overview Of The IT: WELCOME TO DERRY Trailer
HBO Max has unveiled the first look at their highly anticipated “IT” prequel series. The trailer offers a chilling glimpse into Derry’s dark past, revealing how Pennywise began terrorizing the town in the 1960s.
Trailer Highlights
The newly released trailer introduces viewers to a fresh cast of young characters living in Derry, Maine during the 1960s. Central to the story is an African American family moving into the predominantly white town, where they immediately face a cold reception from locals.
The trailer skillfully builds tension through brief glimpses of eerie encounters and unsettling imagery that fans of Stephen King’s universe will recognize. Several scenes show children exploring dark, abandoned spaces – a signature element from the “IT” franchise.
Most notably, the trailer saves its biggest reveal for last – the return of Bill Skarsgård as the terrifying Pennywise the clown. His brief appearance at the end serves as a chilling reminder of the horror that awaits.
Teaser Trailer Analysis
The teaser establishes where IT all began, transporting viewers back to 1960s Derry. This prequel explores events decades before the Losers’ Club confronted Pennywise in the films.
Key elements in the teaser include:
- Time period: Set in the 1960s, showcasing a different era of Derry
- Social themes: Hints at racial tensions as a Black family moves to the predominantly white town
- Atmospheric horror: Relies heavily on building dread rather than jump scares
- Connection to films: Visual callbacks to scenes from the movies
The trailer suggests the series will delve into Derry’s troubled history, exploring how Pennywise’s presence has shaped the town’s dark nature over generations.
Visual And Thematic Elements
The “Welcome to Derry” trailer employs distinctive visual and thematic elements that connect it to the wider Stephen King universe. Dark sewers, abandoned buildings, and ominous storm drains create a familiar yet fresh aesthetic that honors the original IT films.
The color palette shifts between warm, nostalgic tones for daytime scenes and cold, blue-tinted darkness for moments of terror. This contrast emphasizes the dual nature of Derry itself – a seemingly normal town harboring unimaginable evil.
Thematically, the trailer hints at exploring childhood fears alongside social issues of the 1960s. The trailer introduction of an African American family facing discrimination suggests the series will examine how Pennywise exploits not just individual fears but societal tensions as well.
The nine-episode horror-drama appears to maintain the franchise’s balance of supernatural terror and human drama.
Cast, Characters, And Creative Team
The HBO Max series “Welcome to Derry” brings together established talent with fresh faces. The prequel to Stephen King’s “IT” features returning cast alongside newcomers under experienced showrunners who previously worked on the successful “IT” films.
Key Cast Members
Bill Skarsgård returns to his iconic role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, bringing back the terrifying antagonist that captivated audiences in the recent “IT” films. His reprisal represents a significant connection between the prequel series and the successful movie adaptations.
The ensemble includes several impressive actors joining the “IT” universe. Taylour Paige, known for her compelling performances in “Zola” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” takes on a lead role in the series.
Other notable cast members include Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, veteran actor James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. This diverse cast brings a mix of established talent and rising stars to the horror prequel.
Notable Characters
While specific character details remain somewhat under wraps, the series explores Derry’s dark history decades before the events of the “IT” films. Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise returns as the primary antagonist, with his centuries-long presence in Derry being a central focus.
The series will likely explore how Pennywise has influenced the town over decades, creating the sinister atmosphere that defines Derry. The characters portrayed by the ensemble cast will offer new perspectives on the town’s troubled past.
Set in the 1960s, the show provides backstory to the mythology established in the films while introducing new victims and survivors of Pennywise’s reign of terror. The period setting allows exploration of Derry’s historical contexts while maintaining the supernatural horror elements fans expect.
Showrunners And Executive Team
The creative leadership brings significant horror credentials to the project. Jason Fuchs serves as a co-showrunner and executive producer, working alongside the team that made the films successful.
Andy Muschietti, who directed both “IT” films, returns to direct multiple episodes while also serving as an executive producer. His sister, Barbara Muschietti, also joins as an executive producer, maintaining the creative vision established in the films.
The involvement of the Muschietti siblings provides continuity with the successful movie adaptations. Their understanding of the source material and previous success adapting King’s work suggests the series will maintain the quality and tone that made the films popular.
The show will premiere on HBO Max in Fall 2025, with production supported by Warner Bros. Television and the original film creative team’s oversight.
Storyline, Timeline, And Connection To Stephen King’s Universe
HBO Max’s “Welcome to Derry” delves deep into the terrifying backstory of Pennywise and expands the mythology established in King’s original work. The series explores earlier cycles of terror in the cursed Maine town while maintaining connections to the established universe.
Prequel Series Setting
“Welcome to Derry” is set 27 years before the events of the two recent “It” films. The prequel explores the earlier manifestations of Pennywise in Derry, Maine, focusing on a new set of characters facing the ancient evil.
The series reportedly begins around 1960s Derry, creating a rich historical backdrop to explore the town’s dark secrets. Viewers will witness how the town’s disturbing history shapes its residents and creates the perfect hunting ground for Pennywise.
The trailer reveals the return of missing children posters, a signature element of the “It” universe, indicating the series will maintain the core themes of childhood fear and trauma central to King’s work.
Timeline And Historical References
The prequel appears to explore multiple time periods in Derry’s history, potentially including glimpses of 1908, 1935, and 1962. These years align with Pennywise’s 27-year feeding cycle established in King’s mythology.
The series may explore how Pennywise has shaped Derry’s violent history through different eras. Historical events unique to each time period will likely provide context for how the entity adapts its methods to exploit contemporary fears.
Several scenes in the trailer show period-accurate settings and costumes, suggesting careful attention to historical detail. This timeline approach allows the series to build a comprehensive picture of Pennywise’s influence across generations.
Ties To Stephen King’s Original Work
“Welcome to Derry” draws heavily from King’s original horror novel while exploring previously untold aspects of the story. The adaptation maintains key elements like the town’s cursed nature and Pennywise’s cyclical appearances.
The series appears to expand on concepts only briefly mentioned in King’s novel, such as the town’s founding and earliest encounters with the entity. These expansions provide deeper context while respecting the established lore.
Key themes from King’s work remain present: childhood innocence contrasted with cosmic horror, the power of friendship against evil, and unified belief as a weapon against fear. The series also maintains the novel’s exploration of how communities can become complicit in evil through willful ignorance.
Significance Within The IT Universe
The prequel creates a more comprehensive “It” universe by bridging gaps in the timeline and exploring previously unseen cycles of Pennywise’s terror. This expanded universe helps viewers understand the entity’s true nature and impact.
The nine-episode format allows for more detailed character development than the films could provide. This expanded storytelling approach may reveal new aspects of Derry’s psychology and the town’s relationship with its monster.
By exploring earlier manifestations of Pennywise, the series can provide insight into how the entity evolved its tactics. The prequel’s storylines will likely enhance viewers’ understanding of events in the 2017 and 2019 films, creating a richer overall narrative experience in the “It” universe.
Production And Distribution Details
The upcoming “IT: Welcome to Derry” series has been carefully crafted through collaboration between HBO and Warner Bros. Television. The production began in Toronto with key figures from the IT film franchise maintaining creative control.
Development And Filming
Production on “Welcome to Derry” began in Toronto in May. The series is set in Maine in 1962, functioning as a prequel to the IT remake films released in 2017.
Andy Muschietti, who directed the successful IT films, has returned to help shape this new chapter in the story. His involvement ensures visual and thematic consistency with the established cinematic universe.
The series explores the earlier history of Derry, Maine and appears to focus on a new set of characters experiencing Pennywise’s terror. Based on the trailer, the production design maintains the distinctive period aesthetic that made the films so atmospheric.
Involvement Of Warner Bros. Television
Warner Bros. Television has partnered with HBO to produce the series. The studio previously backed the highly successful IT films, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
Andy and Barbara Muschietti are executive producing through their Double Dream production company. Other executive producers include Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane, bringing additional creative vision to the project.
Warner Bros. Television’s involvement signals the studio’s confidence in expanding successful film properties into prestige television formats. Their financial backing has allowed for high production values evident in the trailer’s impressive visual effects and period settings.
Distribution On HBO Max
“IT: Welcome to Derry” will premiere exclusively on HBO Max this fall. The streaming platform has positioned the series as one of its marquee horror offerings for the year.
HBO Max continues its strategy of leveraging recognizable intellectual properties to attract subscribers. The IT franchise brings with it a built-in audience of both Stephen King readers and fans of the recent films.
The platform’s distribution approach allows for the more expansive storytelling that television permits, giving creators room to develop characters and mythology beyond what was possible in the films. Audiences can expect around 8-10 episodes based on HBO’s typical limited series format.
Writing And Teleplay
The story for “Welcome to Derry” comes from a collaboration between Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs. This writing team brings continuity from the film adaptations while exploring new narrative territory.
The series appears to expand on elements from Stephen King’s original novel that weren’t fully explored in the films. Early promotional materials suggest deeper exploration of Derry’s troubled history and possibly the character of Mike Hanlon, who was the historian of the Losers’ Club.
The teleplay delves into the origins of Pennywise and the curse that has plagued Derry for generations. Writing a prequel presents unique challenges, as it must satisfy existing fans while standing on its own for newcomers to the franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans have many burning questions about the upcoming “Welcome to Derry” series after the exciting trailer release. Here are the most important details revealed so far.
When is the official release date for the ‘Welcome to Derry’ series?
“Welcome to Derry” is scheduled for release in September 2025. The exact premiere date was confirmed in a recent interview with the director.
This fall release timing positions the show perfectly for Halloween season viewing, following HBO’s tradition of premiering horror content in the autumn months.
Which platform will exclusively stream ‘Welcome to Derry’?
The series will stream exclusively on HBO Max. The platform released the first official trailer for the show, confirming it as an HBO Max original production.
HBO Max continues to expand its horror lineup with this highly anticipated Stephen King adaptation.
Who has been cast in the role of Pennywise for the new series?
Bill Skarsgård returns as the terrifying Pennywise the Clown. His character makes a chilling appearance at the end of the teaser trailer.
Skarsgård’s return has excited fans who praised his performance in the previous IT films from 2017 and 2019.
Are there any returning actors from the original IT films in ‘Welcome to Derry’?
Apart from Bill Skarsgård, the series features a completely new cast. No other actors from the original films have been announced as returning for the prequel series.
The show introduces viewers to a fresh group of characters as it explores Derry’s dark history in an earlier time period.
What can viewers expect in terms of plot and storyline for ‘Welcome to Derry’?
The series follows an African American family moving to Derry, Maine in the 1960s. The trailer shows them facing a hostile reception from the predominantly white townspeople.
The story introduces a new cast of young characters who will presumably encounter the ancient evil lurking beneath the town. Social tensions of the era appear to play a significant role in the narrative.
How does ‘Welcome to Derry’ connect to the previous IT movies or Stephen King’s novel?
“Welcome to Derry” serves as a prequel to the events depicted in the two IT films. The series was developed by the same filmmakers who directed the IT movies, ensuring continuity in style and vision.
Set in the 1960s, the show explores an earlier cycle of Pennywise’s terrorizing of Derry. This timeframe allows the series to delve into the town’s troubled history that was hinted at in both King’s novel and the films.
