Overview
- The series debuts October 26 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, with new episodes released weekly on Sundays.
- Set in 1962, the prequel explores Derry’s past and Pennywise’s mythology from creators Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs.
- Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise, with the character’s presence deployed strategically across the season.
- Initial reception is broadly positive, with an 80% Rotten Tomatoes score and praise for striking visuals, frequent gore, inventive creatures and effective scares.
- Reviews highlight themes of racism, Indigenous history and Cold War anxiety, while noting uneven character development, occasional over-explanation and a dense narrative; the creators confirm a backward three-season plan extending to 1935 and 1908.