Welcome to Derry is the highly anticipated prequel to Andy Muschietti’s successful It films. With production already in full swing for the It TV series on HBO Max, there’s plenty of buzz surrounding the project. The story of It and its sequels is centered around the cursed town of Derry, Maine, which faces a terrifying cycle every 27 years when a dark force known as Pennywise returns. Pennywise is a shape-shifting, otherworldly clown who feeds on the fear of the town’s inhabitants, taking on grotesque forms that only add to its horror.
Pennywise’s primary source of power is fear, particularly the fear of children, making him an even more terrifying figure in It and It Chapter Two. While both Stephen King’s novel and the film adaptations hint at Pennywise’s origins—especially his eerie choice to appear as a clown—much of his backstory remains unknown. Welcome to Derry, the upcoming prequel series, aims to unravel these mysteries. The show will offer a deeper exploration of the town’s history with Pennywise and how his terrifying presence has shaped the fate of Derry, Maine, over the years.
Welcome to Derry: The It Prequel Series Is Officially Happening
Welcome to Derry has officially been greenlit, with the announcement made in March 2022 (via Variety). The prequel to the It films will be produced by Andy and Barbara Muschietti, alongside Jason Fuchs, and will air on HBO Max. Although production began in 2023, filming was temporarily paused due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Once the strike was resolved in November 2023, work resumed, and by August 2024, producer Jason Fuchs confirmed that filming had officially concluded, marking the end of over 200 days of production.
Welcome to Derry Cast: Who’s Taking on the Role of Pennywise in HBO’s It Prequel?
The cast for Welcome to Derry has mostly been revealed, though the exact roles of the actors in HBO’s It prequel series are still a mystery. So far, most of the confirmed actors are younger, continuing the trend from It, where a group of misfit kids faced off against the terrifying, otherworldly entity. While there may be some familiar faces from the recent It films, it’s expected that the series will introduce fresh characters, since it’s set in the 1960s.
It’s now officially confirmed that Bill Skarsgård will be reprising his iconic role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in Welcome to Derry. Despite earlier reports suggesting he wouldn’t be involved, Skarsgård will once again embody the terrifying clown and also take on an executive producer role. The prequel will also feature a strong ensemble cast, with actors like Alixandra Fuchs, Kimberly Guerrero, Dorian Grey, Thomas Mitchell, BJ Harrison, Peter Outerbridge, Shane Marriott, Chad Rook, Joshua Odjick, and Morningstar Angeline. However, details about their roles remain under wraps for now.
Welcome to Derry Role
Dorian Grey
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Dorian Grey in a casual headshot
Chad Rook
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Chad Rook as Zachariah in Supernatural*
Jovan Adepo
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Jovan Adepo as Saul Durand in 3 Body Problem*
Madeleine Stowe
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Madeleine Stowe in Stakeout*
Stephen Rider
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*Stephen Rider as Blake Tower in Marvel’s Daredevil (Season 2)
Kimberly Guerrero
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Kimberly Guerrero in a field
James Remar
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Taylour Paige
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Taylour Paige in Zola*
Thomas Mitchell
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Thomas Mitchell in a bar
Bill Skarsgård
Pennywise
Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in It (2017)
Peter Outerbridge
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Peter Outerbridge in Designated Survivor*
BJ Harrison
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BJ Harrison in Maid*
Chris Chalk
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Joshua Odjick
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Welcome to Derry Plot: The Series Delves into Derry’s 1960s History
Not much has been disclosed about the plot of Welcome to Derry so far. Since Stephen King never wrote a prequel to It, the HBO series will introduce a new, original narrative. What we do know is that the show will delve into Pennywise’s origins and take place in the 1960s (as reported by Variety). Beyond that, the details remain under wraps. We’ll likely get more insights once HBO drops a full trailer or official plot summary.
Welcome to Derry Trailer
The first glimpse of Welcome to Derry has been shared in HBO’s latest promotional video, featuring both new and returning series. The teaser, which appears at the 1:35-minute mark in the “Coming in 2025” segment, shows a group of children riding bikes, followed by a red balloon, a signature symbol of Pennywise. As the eerie moment unfolds, a voice ominously declares, “This ain’t America, this is Derry.” Although the teaser is brief and doesn’t give away much, it hints at the tone and style the It prequel will adopt, setting the stage for the dark and chilling atmosphere fans of the franchise will expect.
Welcome to Derry
Cast: Madeleine Stowe, Chris Chalk, Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, James Remar
Release Date: 2025
Seasons: 1
Genre: Horror
Creators: Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs, Andy Muschietti
