First Look at ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Hints at Pennywise’s Terrifying Comeback

Stephen King’s chilling universe returns in 2025 with Welcome to Derry, the next chapter in the It franchise on Max. This prequel series, set 27 years before the events of It, dives into the dark origins of the infamous Pennywise.

Fans got their first glimpse in a recent sizzle reel, showcasing eerie footage of a new group of kids navigating the haunting town of Derry—and encountering that all-too-familiar clownish grin.

The show promises a fresh take on King’s horror classic with a stellar cast: Bill Skarsgård returns to his spine-chilling role as Pennywise, joined by Jovan Adepo (Babylon, 3 Body Problem), Taylour Paige (Zola, Beverly Hills Cop 4), Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. Together, they bring a dynamic ensemble that delves into the gritty past of Derry, with more than a few scares in store.

The series will expand on King’s rich lore, as the Muschiettis explained to Entertainment Weekly: “This is a book we love a lot, and we felt there was still a lot of story to be covered… We thought we would do justice to the book and the fans by going back into this world.” They shared that Welcome to Derry will explore the “interludes”—stories told through Mike Hanlon’s investigations, where he interviews Derry’s older residents. Fans can expect themes of friendship, loss, and the unifying power of belief, but with a new focus on “fear as a weapon”—a timely concept relevant to modern audiences.

Max is betting big on this prequel, following their success with House of the Dragon, which has prompted them to shift more top-tier IPs to exclusive streaming content. There’s no set release date, but Welcome to Derry will air on HBO and stream on Max, marking another major push in Max’s content strategy.

The It franchise, a cornerstone of horror pop culture, returned with a vengeance in 2017, grossing over $700 million worldwide, making it Stephen King’s most successful adaptation. It Chapter Two followed in 2019, and while critics were divided, it still raked in significant numbers, pushing the combined box office total over $1.17 billion.