HBO’s upcoming horror series Welcome to Derry is set to take fans back to the terrifying roots of Stephen King’s It universe. Serving as a prequel to the hit films from 2017 and 2019, the show explores the dark history of Derry, Maine, decades before the Losers’ Club first faced Pennywise the Clown.
Set in the 1960s – with a fresh perspective
The first season, slated to premiere on October 26, 2025, is set in 1962 and introduces viewers to the Hanlons, a Black family who move to Derry just as strange events begin to unfold. Their arrival coincides with a series of disappearances, as something sinister stirs beneath the surface.
This fresh perspective aims to highlight not only supernatural horror but also the real-world tensions and social dynamics of the era, blending historical fiction with psychological terror.
The face of fear returns
Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as the haunting Pennywise, ensuring a chilling continuity for fans of the films. The cast also includes Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, and Madeleine Stowe, among others.
Expanding the It mythology
Welcome to Derry will draw from some of the most haunting sections of King’s original novel, including previously unexplored interludes from the town’s grim past. Uniquely, the series will unfold in reverse; after the 1962 timeline, future seasons plan to delve into earlier periods, including 1935 and 1908.
A darker, deeper horror
While the series promises all the frights fans expect, it also appears to be setting a new tone, grounded in real-world fears and historical trauma. With its blend of period drama and paranormal dread, Welcome to Derry may end up being more than just a horror show; it’s shaping up to be a character-driven saga of fear, loss, and the sinister cycle that haunts one very cursed town.
