Particle.news
Download on the App Store

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Debuts This Weekend on HBO With Skarsgård Back as Pennywise

The prequel leans into reverse-chronology storytelling rooted in political allegory to deepen Stephen King’s universe.

Overview

  • IT: Welcome to Derry premieres October 26 on HBO and HBO Max with two episodes, with the UK debuting October 27 on Sky and NOW followed by weekly installments.
  • The creators say HBO backed an extremely graphic, body‑horror opening sequence that sets the show’s tone without pulling punches.
  • Set in 1962 and inspired by Mike Hanlon’s interludes, the series tells its origin story in reverse, with the team outlining a backward arc through 1962, 1935 and 1908.
  • Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise as an executive producer, joined by Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, James Remar, Madeleine Stowe and Chris Chalk as a younger Dick Hallorann connecting to The Shining.
  • Andy Muschietti cites his upbringing under a dictatorship as a key influence on themes of weaponized fear, while outlets still differ on the season’s episode count, reporting eight or nine.