The nightmare in Derry, Maine, is expanding backward through history. Executive producer and director Andy Muschietti has revealed new details about “IT: Welcome to Derry Season 2.“ He has confirmed that the next chapter of the HBO prequel series will jump back to 1935. Moving beyond the first season’s era, Season 2 will directly explore dark historical events that author Stephen King only briefly touched on in his legendary 1986 novel.
“It’s 1935 – we’re now working on it, and it’s so much fun,” Muschietti said.
The Bradley Gang Massacre and Great Depression Setting
Season 2 will center on one of Derry’s most brutal historical events: the massacre of the Bradley Gang. This season is based on the real-life Prohibition-era Brady Gang. They were famously gunned down by FBI agents on the streets of Bangor, Maine, in 1937. The show will craft its own bloody rendition of the gang’s demise as Pennywise influences the townspeople into a violent frenzy.
Shifting the timeline to 1935 also drastically changes the series’ tone and setting. Leaving behind mid-century suburban nostalgia, Season 2 plunges into the bleak reality of the Great Depression. It was a time when desperate residents were struggling for basic survival in a harsh, impoverished landscape.
Non-Linear Timelines and Connections to the Films
The choice to move backward through time is a deliberate narrative strategy tied directly to Pennywise itself. Muschietti explained that the creative team designed the series to tell its story in reverse. He also reflects on how the cosmic entity experiences time non-linearly compared to humans. This structural approach adds a fresh layer of tension and dread, even for fans who already know the franchise’s future.
Season 2 will also continue bridging the gap between the prequel series and the feature films. The show has already established direct character lineage, such as confirming the character Marge as the mother of future Losers’ Club member Richie Tozier. Looking ahead, Muschietti noted that potential future seasons could travel even further into Derry’s past to depict other infamous historical tragedies, including the devastating Ironworks explosion that claimed the lives of dozens of children.
“There’s no suburban comfort… This is in 1935. It’s a very dire situation. People are very poor. They’re struggling to survive, so the setup will be very different,” Muschietti states.
Release Window and Production Status
While official premiere dates for Season 2 remain under wraps, production is underway, and filming began in March. With HBO leaning heavily into Stephen King’s expansive lore, the trip back to 1935 promises a grittier, darker exploration of the ancient evil lurking beneath Derry. Stay tuned for more “IT: Welcome to Derry Season 2” details as we learn them.
