Halloween is coming early to HBO. Get ready for sleepless nights with It: Welcome to Derry, one of the most anticipated horror series of the year. The show premieres on October 26, 2025, just in time for the spookiest season, streaming simultaneously on HBO and Max.
Created by Andy Muschietti, this prequel takes viewers back to the cursed town of Derry, Maine, to uncover the twisted origins of Pennywise the Clown, one of cinema’s most terrifying villains. Based on Stephen King’s chilling universe, It: Welcome to Derry expands the mythology behind It (2017), exploring how the nightmare began decades earlier.
Synopsis of It: Welcome to Derry
Set in 1962, 27 years before the events of the first film, the story follows the eerie awakening of an ancient evil lurking beneath Derry’s streets. As strange disappearances and chilling phenomena unfold, the malevolent force takes shape as the horrifying Pennywise.
Drawing inspiration from the cosmic elements of Stephen King’s “It”, the series blends psychological horror, drama, and mystery — diving deep into how fear spreads through a community and becomes its own kind of curse.
Director Andy Muschietti explains that the goal is to show audiences that “everything we know about It is just the tip of the iceberg,” expanding the story to connect with the Stephen King macroverse, including The Dark Tower.
Cast of It: Welcome to Derry
The cast of It: Welcome to Derry features a mix of returning stars and new faces ready to bring this haunting tale to life:
- Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise
- Rudy Mancuso
- Taylour Paige
- Jovan Adepo
- Chris Chalk
- James Remar
The first season will include nine episodes, with Andy Muschietti directing four of them.
How Many Episodes Does It: Welcome to Derry Have?
- Season 1: 9 episodes
- Directed by: Andy Muschietti (4 episodes)
- Written by: Jason Fuchs
- Premiere date: October 26, 2025
Trailer of It: Welcome to Derry
Is It: Welcome to Derry Worth Watching?
All signs point to yes.
Critics and fans alike are calling it one of the best new horror series on HBO, and with good reason. The return of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise is reason enough for excitement — his performance redefined horror for a generation.
With eerie cinematography, haunting music, and a story that explores the true nature of fear, It: Welcome to Derry on HBO is set to become a must-watch this Halloween season. It’s not just about jump scares; it’s a psychological descent into the darkness that defines Derry itself.
Fun Facts About It: Welcome to Derry
- The story takes place 27 years before It (2017) — a symbolic number in the Pennywise mythos.
- Filming took place in Toronto, Canada, recreating Derry’s unsettling atmosphere.
- The series may introduce Maturin, the cosmic turtle that guards the universe in Stephen King’s mythology.
- To build anticipation, It (2017) returned to theaters in October with exclusive previews of Welcome to Derry.
Where to Watch It: Welcome to Derry
You can watch It: Welcome to Derry exclusively on HBO and Max starting October 26, 2025, with simultaneous release in the United States and worldwide.
Fans can also revisit It (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019) on Max, to relive the nightmare before diving into Pennywise’s terrifying origins.
Summary of It: Welcome to Derry
In summary, It: Welcome to Derry is one of the most awaited series of 2025 because it dares to reveal the roots of fear itself. By delving into the history of Derry and the cosmic horror behind Pennywise, it connects the dots within Stephen King’s vast universe.
Stylish, intense, and deeply disturbing, this prequel will captivate both long-time fans and new viewers curious about how the legend of the dancing clown began.
Conclusion
It: Welcome to Derry arrives to redefine TV horror and expand Stephen King’s world in a bold new way. If you love stories that mix mystery, mythology, and spine-chilling tension, this is your next binge. Turn off the lights—if you dare—because Derry is darker than ever.
FAQ
When does It: Welcome to Derry premiere?
The series premieres on October 26, 2025, on HBO and Max.
Is It: Welcome to Derry a sequel?
No. It’s a prequel that takes place decades before the films It (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019).
Who plays Pennywise in the series?
Bill Skarsgård returns as the iconic Pennywise.
How many episodes are in It: Welcome to Derry?
Season 1 consists of nine episodes.
Is It: Welcome to Derry based on a book?
Yes. It’s inspired by the interludes from Stephen King’s novel “It”.
Will It: Welcome to Derry have a second season?
HBO hasn’t officially confirmed a second season yet, but the show’s creators have hinted that the story was built to allow for future expansions if the series performs well.
I’m Milly, from Brazil — passionate about discoveries, K-dramas, series, and cinema. In this blog, I bring together my two greatest loves: exploring the world and telling great stories. I share travel experiences, entertainment recommendations, and tips that connect culture, technology, and emotion. Here, every read is a new journey.
