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Hollywood Strikes Reshaped 'It: Welcome to Derry' as HBO Prequel Rolls Out With Strong Debut

An eight-month production halt forced seasonal shifts, culminating in a new finale that complicated continuity with a largely youthful cast.

Overview

  • Co-creator Barbara Muschietti said roughly 90% of three episodes were shot before the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes halted filming.
  • The pause pushed the summer-set story into different seasons, prompting a reworked ending and climate-specific adjustments.
  • Producers cited challenges with child actors aging during the break, including voice changes, wardrobe fit, and tighter schedules.
  • HBO reported 5.7 million U.S. viewers in the first three days after the debut, signaling strong initial interest.
  • Episode 2 was released early for Halloween, with new episodes set for Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT leading to a December 14 season finale.