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It: Welcome to Derry is the new Stephen King TV series horror fans have been waiting for. If Pennywise the Dancing Clown gave you nightmares before, brace yourself as he’s coming back in a prequel that reveals how the nightmare began decades ago. This Max original (formerly HBO Max) dives into the origins of Derry’s evil, expanding Stephen King’s chilling universe.
From the IT Welcome to Derry premiere date and episode count to the cast, plot, and how it ties into IT, here’s everything we know about this terrifying upcoming series.
When does It: Welcome to Derry come out on HBO Max?
Wondering when does Welcome to Derry will come out on HBO Max? Mark your calendars for late 2025. HBO has confirmed the IT prequel series release date: It: Welcome to Derry premiered on Sunday, October 26, 2025 on HBO Max. This strategic late-October debut leaned into Halloween season, giving fans the perfect spooky treat.
The It: Welcome to Derry first episode date was October 26, 2025, and new episodes air weekly each Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO (and stream concurrently on Max). The show’s rollout runs through mid-December, so viewers can enjoy fresh frights into the fall.
Notably, Episode 2 even dropped a few days early on Max as a special Halloween bonus, though generally episodes stick to the weekly schedule.
What Is the It: Welcome to Derry Story About?
The series jumps back to 1962 Derry, Maine. This is decades before the events of the 2017 and 2019 films. The It: Welcome to Derry plot centers on an earlier cycle of terror when Pennywise first emerged.
The story follows Air Force pilot Leroy Hanlon and his family as they settle into Derry. Their timing could not be worse. Children start disappearing right as they arrive. Leroy is actually Mike Hanlon’s grandfather, connecting the series directly to the familiar timeline.
The creators drew inspiration from the historical interludes in Stephen King’s original novel. Those journal entries Mike Hanlon kept about Derry’s dark past become the foundation here. The show explores the “unfinished puzzle” of horrors that shaped this cursed town.
Most importantly, It: Welcome to Derry digs into Pennywise’s origin. The creators confirmed this is a proper backstory showing how he became the ancient evil we know. Sharp-eyed fans will catch Easter eggs throughout, including nods to King’s Dark Tower mythology that hint at Pennywise’s cosmic origins.
Who Is in the Cast of It: Welcome to Derry?
Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. His chilling performance made the character a modern horror icon. Having him back is massive for fans who loved the films.
Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo star as Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon. They are the parents of young Will and sit at the heart of this story.
It is a funny thing to know that Leroy briefly appeared in the 2017 film teaching young Mike how to use a bolt gun on the farm.
James Remar plays General Shaw, an Air Force officer with his own agenda. Stephen Rider appears as Hank Grogan, a local caught up in the terror. Chris Chalk portrays Dick Hallorann, a character Stephen King fans will recognize from The Shining. Here he is a soldier with special insight into Derry’s darkness.
The ensemble also includes Clara Stack as Lilly, Matilda Lawler as Marge, and Madeleine Stowe among others. The large cast reflects a town full of people dealing with unimaginable horror.
Even when Pennywise is not on screen, his presence looms over everything. The series is developed and executive produced by the team behind the films: Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and writer Jason Fuchs. Stephen King serves as an executive producer as well.
How Many Episodes Are in Welcome to Derry?
Season 1 has eight episodes total. Some early announcements mentioned nine episodes, but the final count settled at eight. Each episode runs roughly an hour, following HBO’s typical drama format.
The episodes rolled out weekly from late October through mid-December. Episode 1 titled “The Pilot” debuted October 26, 2025. Episode 2, “The Thing in the Dark,” followed the next Sunday with that special early Halloween release on Max.
Early reviews describe the pilot as “subversive and gruesome.” Each episode peels back another layer of Derry’s dark history while building the tension. You will need patience if you prefer binge-watching. The full season becomes available for a marathon once all episodes drop in mid-December.
Is There an It: Welcome to Derry Trailer Yet?
Yes, and it sets the perfect eerie tone. The official teaser dropped during summer 2025. The series had a major presence at San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, where fans got an early sneak peek of the premiere episode.
The trailer opens with a young boy hitchhiking on a snowy road. He whispers that he wants to go “anywhere but Derry.” We then see the Hanlon family arriving in town as ominous signs appear. Kids talk about missing classmates. Strange voices echo through pipes. Creepy grins spread across townspeople’s faces.
King fans will spot a turtle image on a school sign, referencing the Dark Tower mythology. The trailer ends with Pennywise giggling from the sewers, confirming his terrifying return.
The production design captures a 1960s period atmosphere perfectly. The costumes, music, and overall vibe tap into that mid-century feel from King’s early work. The trailer is available on YouTube and the HBO Max site if you want a proper scare.
Will It: Welcome to Derry Have More Seasons?
Andy Muschietti has a three-season plan mapped out. Each season would jump further back in time to explore earlier eras of Derry’s cursed history.
Season 1 is set in 1962. If renewed, Season 2 would travel to 1935. Season 3 would go all the way back to 1908. This backward chronology is intentional. Muschietti described it as a puzzle told in reverse, building toward “the events in which It became Pennywise.”
By the end of a potential third season, we might witness the actual moment Pennywise first arrived or formed. That would bring the origin story full circle in spectacular fashion.
Additional seasons depend on how well Season 1 performs. Early reception has been positive. Critics praise Welcome to Derry as a worthy prequel that deepens the IT lore. King’s universe offers plenty of dark incidents from Derry’s past that the show could explore.
With the Muschiettis and Jason Fuchs leading the way, plus Stephen King’s involvement as executive producer, there is strong confidence in the vision. If everything goes well, It: Welcome to Derry could become a multi-season journey through the complete backstory of the evil that is It.
The nightmare is just beginning. Pennywise is waiting in the sewers, and Derry’s darkest secrets are about to surface.
Check out our coverage of Toy Story 5 for something lighter after seeing Derry’s eerie streets. Now that the toys are back, technology may be their biggest issue.
