It: Welcome to Derry is one of the most anticipated horror series of 2025, marking the return of one of cinema’s most terrifying villains — Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the series serves as a prequel to the blockbuster films It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019), both based on Stephen King’s legendary novel. Produced by Warner Bros. Television and streaming exclusively on HBO, It: Welcome to Derry promises to expand the chilling mythology behind the cursed town of Derry, Maine, and explore how Pennywise’s reign of terror began.
Set in 1962, decades before the Losers’ Club would confront the monster, the story follows Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo), his wife Charlotte Hanlon (Taylour Paige), and their young son Will as they move to Derry seeking a fresh start. But what they find instead is a town haunted by mysterious disappearances, strange visions, and whispers of an ancient evil lurking beneath the surface. As paranoia spreads and violence brews, Derry begins to reveal its dark secrets — and the sinister force that feeds on fear prepares to awaken once again.
At the center of it all is Bill Skarsgård, who reprises his role as Pennywise the Clown, the shape-shifting cosmic entity that terrorized audiences worldwide. Skarsgård’s return ensures continuity and authenticity to the character that has become an icon of modern horror. His performance, known for its blend of unsettling charm and pure menace, promises to dive even deeper into Pennywise’s origins — showing how this demonic being came to embody the fear that grips Derry every 27 years.
Visually, It: Welcome to Derry retains the eerie atmosphere and haunting aesthetic that made the previous films so effective. Under Andy Muschietti’s creative guidance — who also directed both It movies — the series balances psychological dread with visceral horror. Early teasers highlight a muted color palette, vintage set design, and unnerving soundscapes that perfectly evoke 1960s Americana while contrasting it with supernatural horror. The production team also employs practical effects combined with cutting-edge CGI to bring Pennywise’s nightmarish transformations vividly to life.
Beyond its scares, the series explores deeper social and emotional themes. Set during a time of racial segregation and cultural upheaval in America, It: Welcome to Derry uses its historical context to examine how fear, prejudice, and violence infect entire communities. The Hanlon family, one of the few Black families in Derry, face not only supernatural terror but also the human horrors of intolerance and systemic racism. This duality — human evil versus supernatural evil — adds layers of complexity and realism that elevate the narrative beyond a standard horror story.
Critics and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the show’s release, drawn by its potential to expand Stephen King’s universe while offering fresh storytelling. With It and It Chapter Two having grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide, expectations are high for It: Welcome to Derry to become HBO’s next major horror success — following in the footsteps of The Last of Us and True Detective: Night Country.
The writing, helmed by Jason Fuchs, combines King’s signature dread with modern sensibilities, ensuring both longtime fans and new viewers can experience the terror anew. The series also promises to answer lingering questions: How did Pennywise first come to Derry? Why does the town remain trapped in a cycle of violence? And what price must its inhabitants pay for their silence?
In sum, It: Welcome to Derry is shaping up to be more than just a prequel — it’s a psychological exploration of fear, trauma, and evil’s persistence across generations. With stellar performances, atmospheric direction, and a chilling expansion of Stephen King’s lore, the series is poised to dominate screens and nightmares alike. For horror fans and casual viewers, this journey back to Derry is one they won’t want to miss.
Premiere Date: October 26, 2025
Platform: HBO / Max
Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Psychological Thriller
Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, and Stephen Rider.
Welcome back to Derry — where fear never dies.
