Stephen King’s chilling universe is expanding once again with IT: Welcome to Derry. Set to premiere on October 26, 2025, the highly anticipated series will serve as a prequel to the blockbuster IT films. Streaming exclusively on HBO and Max, the show promises to immerse audiences in the sinister history of Derry, Maine. This was where Pennywise the Dancing Clown first began his reign of terror.
The Story Behind Welcome to Derry
Unlike the films that focused on the Losers’ Club, Welcome to Derry shifts the spotlight to the town itself. The series explores how the evil entity that later became known as Pennywise first emerged and shaped the community’s tragic history. For the first time, fans will see the roots of the town’s mysterious cycle of disappearances. And also discover the chilling events that recur every 27 years.
The show aims to answer some of the biggest questions left by the movies: why is Derry cursed, and why do its people turn a blind eye to the horrors happening around them?. By going deeper into the mythology, Welcome to Derry expands Stephen King’s terrifying universe. While keeping the suspense and fear at the heart of the story.
Cast and Production
The series comes from Andy and Barbara Muschietti, the creative duo who brought the IT films to life. With Andy Muschietti directing several episodes, fans can expect the same atmospheric dread. And also visual intensity, and terrifying energy that made the movies international hits.
The cast combines rising stars and seasoned performers. This promises a rich lineup of characters who will bring Derry’s history to life. Their performances are expected to add both emotional depth and horror-driven suspense to the narrative.
Anticipated Reception and Impact
IT: Welcome to Derry has already generated major buzz among horror fans and Stephen King enthusiasts. With its blend of psychological suspense and supernatural terror, the series is positioned to be one of the standout horror releases of 2025. Critics and fans alike are anticipating how the story will connect to the larger IT universe while still standing on its own as a chilling tale.
IT: Welcome to Derry is set to deliver a dark and terrifying journey into the origins of Pennywise and the cursed town of Derry. By exploring untold stories and expanding the mythology, the series promises to keep audiences on edge. While also solidifying its place as one of the year’s most anticipated horror events.
