IT: Welcome to Derry Teases the Return of Pennywise
The first official trailer for IT: Welcome to Derry, the prequel series to Stephen King’s IT, just debuted, offering a terrifying glimpse into the origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Set to debut this fall on Max and HBO, the nine-episode series expands the haunting world of Derry, Maine, established in King’s novel and Andy Muschietti’s IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019). Developed by Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the show promises a deep dive into the town’s cursed history and the entity’s early horrors.
IT (2017) | Warner Bros.
The trailer, which has been highly anticipated, immerses viewers in 1960s Derry with eerie visuals: a red balloon floating ominously, unsettlingly happy adults, and children navigating a town steeped in fear, setting the stage for psychological and visceral horror. The brief footage captures the ominous tone fans expect while hinting at fresh, gory terrors tied to Pennywise’s past. And yes, Pennywise makes a cameo in the trailer.
Confirmed details highlight a talented ensemble cast, including Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Madeleine Stowe, and Stephen Rider, with Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise. Muschietti directs four episodes, including the premiere, while Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane serve as co-showrunners. Produced by Warner Bros. Television, the series draws from the novel’s interludes, particularly Mike Hanlon’s research into Derry’s dark past, and is set in 1962, building toward the events of the 2017 film.
Production for the prequel series first began in 2023 but faced delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, shifting the release from 2024 to 2025. King himself has publicly praised the project, expressing enthusiasm for Muschietti’s vision. Between its blend of new lore, a stellar cast, and the return of Skarsgård’s iconic villain, Welcome to Derry is poised to be a standout horror series on Max, delivering classic horror to longtime fans.
