Hold on to your red balloons, folks! HBO MAX has now released a new “IT: Welcome to Derry” trailer, offering a glimpse of the horrors that await us!
The nine-episode first season will dive into the history of that infamous Maine town where Pennywise first made his presence known. Think of it as the ultimate origin story. We’re talking about witnessing the very seeds of Derry’s pervasive darkness being sown. It kicks off its eerie narrative way back in 1962 when Pennywise lands in town.
And speaking of Pennywise… you know that when bad stuff starts happening in Derry – and let’s be real, bad stuff always happens in Derry – that sinister, shape-shifting clown is never too far behind. He’ll be lurking in the shadows, just waiting to prey on the town’s unsuspecting inhabitants.
Behind this chilling endeavor are some very familiar and welcome names. Andy Muschietti, the director of both IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two, returns to the director’s chair, alongside his sister, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs. This powerhouse trio is leading the charge for Warner Bros. Television. And get this: the current plan is for a sprawling, three-season horror epic!
This concept is rooted in Mike Hanlon’s incredibly disturbing interludes from Stephen King’s massive novel, “IT.” In the book, Mike meticulously documents the “catastrophic events” that have plagued Derry, Maine, throughout its dark, bloody history. “Welcome to Derry” will delve into that lore. It will reveal the horrifying incidents that have made the town a breeding ground for unspeakable evil and prejudice.
And the cast? Bill Skarsgård is making his triumphant, terrifying return as Pennywise. Skarsgård is joined by Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, and Grant Nickalls. Madeline Stowe and James Remar also star. And keep an eye out for Peter Outerbridge and Chris Chalk, too.
If you pay attention to the trailer, you will see the series pay tribute to Stephen King’s work. We see a bus bound for Shawshank Prison and the car from “NOS4A2” being pulled from the mud. There’s a nod to “The Mist” as well. But that’s not all, a character, Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), is from “The Shining.”
So, get ready to journey back to Derry. But this time, prepare to witness the terrifying events that unfolded before Pennywise ever terrorized the Losers’ Club.
With serious talent at the helm and a plan for a multi-season exploration of Derry’s darkest secrets, “IT: Welcome to Derry” is a must-watch for any horror fan. And it’s arriving just in time for Halloween, premiering on October 26, 2025, on HBO MAX.
