The highly anticipated series It: Welcome to Derry is set to premiere on October 26 on HBO Max, serving as a prequel to the two-part film adaptation of Stephen King’s beloved novel. Bill Skarsgård will return as Pennywise the Clown, while longtime collaborators Andy and Barbara Muschietti have provided insight into King’s close involvement with the project, notably sharing specific feedback he offered during production. This connection adds significant weight to the Stephen King It feedback woven throughout the series.
Behind the Scenes: King’s Support and Creative Input
In a recent interview featured in the October 8 issue of SFX magazine, Barbara Muschietti praised the author’s enthusiasm for the series, calling him “a big supporter” who “really loves the movies.” Throughout the development process, the Muschiettis maintained frequent communication with King, ensuring that he remained informed and engaged as new characters and story elements were introduced.
Andy Muschietti emphasized this collaborative spirit, explaining that King offered the creative team “a lot of rope” and responded with remarkable excitement to their updates. He described King’s involvement as “truly a pleasure,” reflecting a dynamic in which the author’s insights helped shape the series authentically.
Authenticity in Capturing the Era Through King’s Eyes
One essential area where Stephen King’s experience as a child from a specific time period influenced the show was the dialogue, particularly the language used by the characters. Andy Muschietti noted that the era depicted in the series was “very special” to King because it reflected his own childhood. King’s insights offered invaluable context about the social norms and language of that time, grounding the series in authentic detail.
“He has a lot of insight of that era and his thoughts and notes are related to his experience as a child,”
Andy explained.
“Not only as the creator of the book, but in this back and forth that we have, there’s a lot of details that you can not get unless you’re talking to someone from that generation.”
The Sweary Email: Stephen King’s Specific Note on Language
A remarkable example of King’s involvement came in the form of a candid email about the use of strong language in the series. Given that the movies include considerable cursing, King wanted to ensure the show’s dialogue reflected what was realistic for children of his generation. He pointed out that the word “fuck” was not commonly used during his youth as it is today, and that children who said it risked physical repercussions.
One of the most special moments that we had in all these developments is Steve writing an email and saying, ‘Well, we didn’t use the word f**k a lot when we were kids. Actually, if you said f**k or f***ing in front of someone, you would expect to be knocked down.’ So he wrote a whole email about the word f***ing because, of course, there’s a lot of cursing in our movies.
Andy Muschietti
Anticipating Pennywise’s Impact and Fan Expectations
The series promises to deepen fans’ understanding of Pennywise and the mysterious forces behind It. Andy Muschietti has joked that the show will both “ruin and explain” some of the cryptic aspects, answering questions like
“What does It want? Why is It there?”
However, viewers will need patience before seeing Pennywise’s full appearance, as the character will only show up “in a big way” at the right moment. Bill Skarsgård himself was reportedly “a little hesitant” to revisit such a dark and intense role after his recent portrayals in John Wick and Nosferatu, but ultimately embraced the challenge.
The Cultural Significance and What Lies Ahead
It: Welcome to Derry arrives at a time when horror is increasingly examined through the lens of nostalgia and period accuracy. Stephen King’s hands-on input not only provides authenticity but also bridges the story’s past and present, enriching the viewing experience. The series will add layers to the established mythos, satisfying longtime fans and new audiences alike.
With the series launching on HBO Max later this month and SFX magazine dedicated to its coverage in early October, anticipation is building for a fresh exploration of Derry’s dark secrets and the haunting presence of Pennywise. King’s detailed feedback, including his memorable email about childhood language, underscores the care taken to honor the source material’s authenticity while expanding its frightening world.
Go back to where IT began… 🎈
Our 2025 Halloween Horror Special celebrates the new It: Welcome To Derry series with exclusive interviews and goodies! 🤡
Last year’s Halloween issue sold out in record time – on sale 8 October or pre-order NOW from the link in our bio! 🎃 pic.twitter.com/YxAHfUEER0— SFX magazine (@SFXmagazine) October 2, 2025
