If you thought Pennywise was done haunting your dreams, think again. HBO just dropped the first teaser for IT: Welcome to Derry, and let’s just say… it’s intense.
Set to premiere this fall, the upcoming prequel series goes even deeper into the terrifying mythology behind Stephen King’s infamous nightmare town, and yes, Bill Skarsgård is back in the paint as Pennywise the Clown.
Welcome to Derry is not just another horror series; it’s an expansion of the IT cinematic universe. Executive produced by Andy Muschietti (who directed both IT and IT: Chapter Two), this nine-episode run starts its chilling tale in 1962, before the events of the 2017 film, and centers around the unexplained disappearances of children in the town of Derry, Maine.
And while that might already sound like your classic Stephen King setup, here’s the twist: the series will pull from Mike Hanlon’s interludes in the novel—the parts that explore Derry’s creepy, violent history. Think of this as the deeper lore version of the story, and Muschietti’s already teased possible follow-up seasons set in 1935 and 1908 if HBO gives the green light.
So yeah… this isn’t just a return to Derry—it’s a full-blown descent into its darkest decades.
Let’s talk cast—because Welcome to Derry is stacked. Leading the charge is Taylour Paige (Zola), alongside Jovan Adepo (Watchmen), Chris Chalk (Perry Mason), and James Remar (Oppenheimer). Rounding out the lineup are Stephen Rider (Daredevil) and Madeleine Stowe (Revenge).
And of course, Bill Skarsgård is reprising his role as the face of your worst childhood fears—Pennywise the Clown. That’s the kind of casting continuity that instantly elevates this prequel into “must-watch” territory.
The supporting cast includes Rudy Mancuso, Peter Outerbridge, Morningstar Angeline, and Alixandra Fuchs filling out what looks like a richly layered Derry community—before it all unravels, of course.
Horror, when done right, mirrors real-life tension, and Derry has always been more than just a creepy town with a clown problem. It’s a metaphor for systemic rot, fear passed through generations, and the price communities pay for silence.
The series is co-showrun by Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane, with Fuchs also penning the first episode. Behind the scenes, the Muschietti siblings (Andy and Barbara) continue to steer the ship through their Double Dream production company, alongside Warner Bros. Television.
Watch the teaser now 🎈
Photo Credit: HBO
