The origins of Derry's most terrifying resident are finally revealed in this prequel series

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before the Losers Club faced their fears, the town of Derry was already a breeding ground for supernatural dread. This prequel series explores the dark history of the shapeshifting entity Pennywise, tracing its influence across decades and uncovering the sinister secrets buried deep within the town's foundations.

It: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 films, expanding the mythology established in Stephen King's 1986 novel. Developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the series premiered on HBO in October 2025. Bill Skarsgård returns to his iconic role as Pennywise, the shapeshifting creature that sows chaos throughout the town, while also portraying Bob Gray, the original human version of the entity from 1908.

The narrative structure spans different eras to illustrate the town's long-standing curse. The first season is set in 1962, following a family that moves to Derry just as a young boy named Matty Clements disappears. The second season shifts to 1935, during the Great Depression, focusing on the Bradley Gang—a group of bank robbers who encounter a brutal massacre and terrifying horrors upon their arrival. This non-linear approach highlights how the entity has plagued the community for generations.

The series features an expansive ensemble cast, including Jovan Adepo as Major Leroy Hanlon and Taylour Paige as his wife Charlotte. Chris Chalk portrays Dick Hallorann, a character known for his telepathic and clairvoyant abilities, who assists the Air Force in searching for a mysterious weapon intended to end the Cold War. Critics have generally praised the production values and performances, particularly noting Skarsgård's return, though some reviewers expressed reservations regarding the writing and visual effects. Following its successful debut, the show was renewed for a second season in August 2026, solidifying its place as a significant expansion of the cinematic universe.

The production process was notably affected by external events, including the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which halted filming from July 2023 until its conclusion in August 2024. Despite these challenges, the series successfully weaves together various threads, from the corrupt local police chief Clint Bowers to the mysterious history of the Juniper Hill Asylum, providing a comprehensive look at the dark forces that define Derry.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The tragic evolution of Bill Denbrough, the reluctant leader of the Losers Club
• Can a city of refugees and humans survive a dark, brewing conspiracy of murder?
• The dark history of Shadyside: How a Puritan curse fueled a horror empire
• An old wooden bridge in Colorado planted the seed for Stephen King's It
• The Maine town where Stephen King’s darkest shadows come to life
• The immortal con man who became a British cultural icon
• How a viral video movement evolved into a global support system for queer youth
• Why the modern Jack Ryan series reimagined a classic hero as a vulnerable everyman
• Can a genius inventor survive the dark arts when technology meets ancient magic?
• From a childhood injury to a $27 million digital empire
• Why Marvel's Iron Fist struggled to find its footing before finding a new home
• How a cancelled military drama became a global television juggernaut and spawned an empire

More in TV series · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics