Among several adaptations of Stephen King’s novels released in 2025, the series It: Welcome to Derry quickly became the standout project, capturing significant audience attention. Premiering in late October, the show delivered the chilling prequel to King’s famed novel, setting streaming records and dominating digital charts well beyond its December finale, underscoring the appeal of Stephen King It Derry’s universe.
Despite the presence of other well-received films like The Life of Chuck, The Long Walk, and The Monkey, It: Welcome to Derry maintained a firm grip on viewers across platforms. After securing the number one spot on iTunes on January 22, it climbed to third place by January 25 and entered the Amazon digital platform chart in 10th place across the United States. The series’ success reflects its widespread acclaim among critics and audiences alike, boasting approval ratings of 81% and 82%, respectively, on HBO Max.
Uncertain but Hopeful: The Prospects for a Second Season
Although the chilling drama has been met with enthusiasm, the announcement of a second season remains pending. Co-creator Barbara Muschietti expressed cautious optimism following the season one finale, emphasizing the high production costs and the challenging standards set by the initial season. While HBO’s interest is clear, confirming a follow-up requires careful deliberation.
No one takes this lightly, that’s for sure,
Barbara Muschietti remarked regarding the show’s popularity.
But, of course, we really want to do it. Stephen King wants to do it too, and HBO wants to do it, I’m sure. But it’s still a question we have yet to answer.
— Barbara Muschietti, Co-creator
In a related development, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that although the renewal has not been officially confirmed, a second season is in early production stages. This news aligns with the appointment of Christina Hodson as the writer for an upcoming project directed by Andy Muschietti, signaling ongoing creative momentum for the franchise.
A second season is now in the works, even if it has not been officially renewed.
— The Hollywood Reporter
The Vision for Multiple Seasons Based on King’s Novel
The It franchise began with the 2017 film directed by Andy Muschietti, adapting part of Stephen King’s 1986 novel. Its 2019 sequel, It: Chapter Two, continued the narrative set 27 years later. It: Welcome to Derry explores events in 1962, occurring 27 years before the first film and during one of Pennywise’s cyclical feeding periods.
Andy Muschietti has outlined an ambitious plan for the series to span three seasons, each focusing on a distinct catastrophic period in King’s lore. The timeline moves backward through significant years in Derry’s dark history to deepen the storyline.
We are basing the three seasons of this series on each of these catastrophic events,
Andy Muschietti shared.
There’s a reason why the story is told backwards. So the first season is 1962, the second season is 1935, and the third season is 1908.
— Andy Muschietti, Director and Co-creator
Given the show’s success and fan enthusiasm, an official announcement from HBO regarding future seasons is widely anticipated.
Key Cast Members Bringing Derry’s Story to Life
The series features a talented cast portraying residents of Derry confronting Pennywise’s terror. Among the principal actors are Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon and Jovan Adepo as Leroy Hanlon, whose performances have been integral to the show’s critical and popular appeal.
It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 is currently available for streaming on HBO Max, inviting new viewers to experience the haunting origins of Pennywise and the town’s dark secrets.
