Stephen King It prequel enthusiasts have reason to anticipate as “It: Welcome to Derry,” a new horror series, premieres on October 26. This show revisits the eerie town of Derry, exploring the dark events leading to the mysterious disappearance of Georgie Denbrough while reuniting the original film’s director Andy Muschietti and featuring Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise the Clown.
Season 1 Episode Count and Release Details
“It: Welcome to Derry” will follow a weekly release schedule on HBO starting October 26, with new episodes arriving every Sunday at 9 PM ET. The first season comprises eight episodes, each averaging about one hour, running through mid-December to provide a steady flow of horror content during the holiday period. Episode titles and release dates are:
Episode 1: The Pilot – October 26, 2025
Episode 2: The Thing in the Dark – November 2, 2025
Episode 3: Now You See It – November 9, 2025
Episode 4 – November 16, 2025
Episode 5 – November 23, 2025
Episode 6 – November 30, 2025
Episode 7 – December 7, 2025
Episode 8 – December 14, 2025
The future of “It: Welcome to Derry” beyond its initial season remains uncertain, though creator Andy Muschietti has expressed interest in unfolding the story through three seasons. Muschietti envisions these seasons exploring different time periods backward from 1962 to 1935 and 1908, effectively creating a historical anthology of terror. However, continuation depends on HBO’s evaluation of the show’s performance.
Viewing Platforms for “It: Welcome to Derry”
The series will be accessible via the HBO cable channel and the HBO Max streaming platform, consistent with the network’s approach to new releases. Currently, there is no indication that “It: Welcome to Derry” will be available on other streaming services or platforms, making an HBO or HBO Max subscription the exclusive option for those wishing to watch the series.
Plot and Background of the Series
Set as a prequel to the events chronicled in Stephen King’s novel “It,” the show investigates the sinister history that has haunted Derry long before the known storylines. Focusing on short interlude scenes originally featured in the novel, the narrative centers on Mike Hanlon, a member of the Losers’ Club, as he delves into the town’s decades of horror. This framework allows the series to expand on the ominous background preceding the disappearance of Georgie Denbrough, enriching the overall lore around Pennywise and Derry’s haunted past.
Main Cast and Characters in the Series
Returning to reprise iconic roles, Bill Skarsgård leads as Pennywise the Clown. The cast also includes Taylour Paige portraying Charlotte Hanlon, Jovan Adepo as Leroy Hanlon, and Chris Chalk in the role of Dick Hallorann. Each character is poised to contribute to the unraveling of the town’s dark mysteries, adding depth to the intertwined stories of Derry’s residents and the supernatural forces at play.
