Stephen King's 'It' has haunted audiences for decades. First through his 1986 novel, then through the two-part 1990 miniseries starring Tim Curry as the creepy clown, and most recently with Andy Muschietti's blockbuster movies from both 2017 and 2019. But Pennywise isn't finished with us yet. The upcoming HBO Max series, 'It: Welcome to Derry', is diving back into the cursed town of Derry, Maine, to uncover the dark history behind the cosmic entity that terrorizes the Losers Club.
Unlike the films, this story isn't about kids on bikes. It focuses on how the nightmare began, how Derry became its hunting ground, and how the town was forced to forget each time Pennywise returned. Production on season 1 began in 2023 across Ontario, Canada with Port Hope once again doubling as Derry despite small delays from the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes. Filming wrapped in August 2024 with a release time slated for 2025, with the premiere set for October 26th.
Season 1 is set in 1962, coinciding with the lore that Pennywise wakes every 27 years to feed. 1962 is 27 years before the first film's timeline. But the show won't just stick to the 60s. The creative team led by Andy and Barbara Muschietti along with Jason Fuchs has already teased a three-season arc that goes back in time. After 1962, season 2 will head to 1935, with the potential for season 3 to be set in 1908. That structure mirrors King's original novel plot when Mike Hanlon uncovers earlier cycles of tragedy and destruction that all lead back to Pennywise's corrupting influence on the town.
One of the historical tragedies confirmed for the show has been lifted straight from the book. In the novel, the Black Spot was a club whose customer base was predominantly black soldiers from the nearby army base before it was destroyed. This event is eventually connected to Pennywise's influence by the Losers. By bringing this moment to life on screen, 'Welcome to Derry' won't just explore supernatural horror, but also the real-world evils Pennywise thrives on. Fans can also expect the series to lean deeper into cosmic horror than the films. In the teaser trailer, there's a glimpse of a violent meteor strike which hints at Pennywise's origins and how he came to be in Derry. This could finally give us a full look at Pennywise's otherworldly dimension, which the films have only hinted at.
For casting news, it's no surprise that Bill Skarsgård is reprising his chilling role as Pennywise, which will add some excellent continuity from the movies. Alongside him, we'll see Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige as Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon, Chris Chalk, and James Remar, plus Steven R. McQueen, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso in recurring parts. 'It: Welcome to Derry' isn't just aiming to capitalize on a King horror classic. It's a chance to expand the mythology around a much-loved story by diving into the past and exploring different eras through separate seasons. The series can finally reveal why this small Maine town became ground zero for a cosmic predator.
Do you think exploring Pennywise's origins will make him scarier, or will it strip away too much mystery? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading.