Welcome to Derry’, Prequel Series Set to Premiere This October

HBO is taking viewers back to the cursed town of Derry with the release of a brand-new trailer for IT: Welcome to Derry, the highly anticipated prequel to Stephen King’s iconic horror tale. The series is set to arrive in October, although the exact premiere date is still under wraps.

The debut season of Welcome to Derry will consist of nine episodes, diving deeper into the terrifying mythology that fans first encountered in King’s 1986 novel and later in Andy Muschietti’s IT films from 2017 and 2019.

While the trailer gives a chilling taste of what’s to come, specific plot details remain tightly guarded. What is known, however, is that Bill Skarsgård will once again slip into the haunting role of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, reprising the performance that terrified audiences worldwide. Director Andy Muschietti, who brought both IT films to life, returns in a big way — not only co-writing and executive producing the series but also directing four episodes.

Photo: Courtesy of HBO MaxThe cast for Welcome to Derry includes an impressive lineup: Taylour Paige (Hit the Floor), Jovan Adepo (3 Body Problem), Chris Chalk (Gotham), James Remar (Dexter), Stephen Rider (Daredevil), Madeleine Stowe (Revenge), Rudy Mancuso (Música, Amigos)

When HBO officially greenlit the series in early 2023, Andy Muschietti and his sister, Barbara Muschietti — who also serves as an executive producer — reflected on their deep connection to King’s work:

“As teens, we passed around the worn pages of IT until the paperback fell apart. The story is massive — far bigger than what we were able to show in the films. This series is our chance to explore the full depth of Stephen King’s vision — all its terror, emotion, and humanity.”

With its rich lore, spine-chilling atmosphere, and the return of Pennywise, Welcome to Derry is shaping up to be a must-watch for horror fans this fall.

Watch the new teaser trailer below.