In October 2025, the widely popular Stephen King It franchise makes its anticipated comeback with a new television series, debuting on HBO Max. This revival returns after a six-year break and continues the story from one of the most financially successful horror franchises ever, which has grossed $1.1 billion worldwide. The new series, It: Welcome to Derry, serves as a prequel to the acclaimed 2017 and 2019 It films and focuses on the malevolent entity Pennywise’s origins in the fictional town of Derry, Maine.
Created by Andy Muschietti, who directed the two recent films, alongside his wife Barbara and producer Jason Fuchs, the show is set primarily in 1962 and even earlier periods. It explores Pennywise’s horrifying presence as it returns every 27 years to terrorize the town. The series is designed to expand the lore established by the films, which achieved tremendous commercial success with It (2017) earning $704 million globally and It: Chapter Two (2019) collecting $473 million worldwide.
The Return of It to Television After More Than Three Decades
It: Welcome to Derry marks the first television adaptation based on Stephen King’s novel It in 35 years. The original adaptation was a miniseries aired in 1990, famous for Tim Curry’s iconic performance as Pennywise. This new series distinguishes itself by serving as a prequel to both the 2017 and 2019 movies, rather than retelling the novel’s central storyline.
The long gap between TV adaptations is attributed to the evolution of television production, which now frequently matches or surpasses cinematic standards in budget and visual effects. Since the 2010s, the quality and storytelling scope of TV series have expanded dramatically, enabling a project like Welcome to Derry to feature cinematic visuals and complex narratives suitable for modern audiences.
How Welcome to Derry Expands Beyond the It Universe into the Stephen King Multiverse
It: Welcome to Derry carries significance beyond reigniting the It saga, as it is confirmed to link to the broader Stephen King universe. The show will reference the Macroverse, a multiverse concept that connects various King novels. One key figure from the original novel, Maturin the Turtle—a cosmic entity protecting one of the Dark Tower’s Beams—may appear in the series after being excluded from the 2017 and 2019 films.
Director Andy Muschietti has disclosed that Welcome to Derry will connect to The Dark Tower, reinforcing the live-action Stephen King multiverse. Additionally, notable characters from other King stories will cross over, including Dick Halloran from The Shining, alongside Easter eggs nodding to The Shawshank Redemption and The Mist. This interconnected storytelling hints at a larger narrative framework within King’s works becoming more pronounced on screen, heightening anticipation for both the series and future adaptations.
Main Cast Bringing New Life to Iconic Characters
The series features Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise, who has become synonymous with the chilling character in recent years. Joining him are Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and Chris Chalk, among others, bringing depth and fresh talent to the new interpretation of this sprawling horror epic.
Revisiting the It Films Before Watching the New Series
With the release of It: Welcome to Derry, fans and newcomers alike are encouraged to watch or rewatch the 2017 and 2019 films to fully appreciate the unfolding storylines and character developments. The series is expected to integrate closely with these movies, enhancing the overall experience and providing richer context for viewers. The franchise’s return to television provides a hopeful yet intense expansion of a saga that has gripped audiences worldwide, bringing renewed energy to Stephen King’s body of work.
