IT Welcome to Derry – Release Date, Cast and Episode Guide
A nine-episode prequel series set in 1962, IT: Welcome to Derry brings Pennywise back to the screen on Max (formerly HBO Max) in October 2025. Bill Skarsgård returns as the Dancing Clown, and the story follows U.S. Air Force pilot Leroy Hanlon as he moves his family to Derry, Maine, where a local boy vanishes under mysterious circumstances. The series connects directly to the 2017 film It and its 2019 sequel, expanding the mythology of Stephen King’s novel.
Created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the show was ordered by HBO Max in February 2023. Production finished in late 2024, and the first episode is expected to drop during October 2025, aligning with the Halloween season. The official Wikipedia page for the series confirms the 1962 setting and the nine-episode count.
What Is IT: Welcome to Derry About?
Prequel TV Series (Season 1)
October 2025 (exact day TBC)
Max (formerly HBO Max)
9 episodes (confirmed)
The series is not a movie but a full television season. It takes place in Derry, Maine, in 1962, decades before the events of the 2017 film. The narrative centres on Leroy Hanlon, an Air Force major, and his family as they confront the supernatural entity Pennywise, who has terrorised the town for centuries.
- The series is a direct prequel to the 2017 film It and It: Chapter Two (2019).
- Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
- Season 1 consists of exactly 9 episodes.
- The premiere window is October 2025, with staggered weekly releases.
- The story introduces parents of characters from the films, including young Will Hanlon (father of Mike Hanlon).
- Based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel It, the show expands the lore of Pennywise’s origins.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Developed By | Andy Muschietti & Barbara Muschietti |
| Based On | Novel It by Stephen King |
| Total Episodes (S1) | 9 |
| Streaming On | Max (formerly HBO Max), Disney+, Hulu |
| Premiere Window | October 2025 |
| Main Antagonist | Pennywise the Dancing Clown (It) |
When Does IT: Welcome to Derry Premiere? (Episode Guide)
Staggered Release on Max
The series will debut in October 2025 with a staggered schedule. According to the production timeline, earlier episodes premiered in 2025, and specific dates have been released for the final two instalments: Episode 7 arrives on 7 December 2025 and Episode 8 on 14 December 2025. The exact premiere date for the first episode within October has not yet been announced by Max.
All 9 episodes are expected to drop weekly. The season finale will air on 14 December 2025, assuming the series starts in early October. Viewers should check the IMDB page for the most up‑to‑date airdates. For fans of the franchise, House of Dragon Season 2 – Release Date Cast and Episodes Guide offers a similar comprehensive guide to another highly anticipated series.
How Many Episodes Are in Season 1?
Season 1 is confirmed to have 9 episodes. This count was announced by HBO Max during the initial greenlight in February 2023 and has been repeated in multiple trade publications. No mid‑season break has been reported.
Who Is in the Cast of IT: Welcome to Derry?
| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jovan Adepo | Leroy Hanlon | US Air Force Major; Charlotte’s husband; Will’s father (older version appeared in It 2017) |
| Taylour Paige | Charlotte Hanlon | Activist; Leroy’s wife; Will’s mother |
| James Remar | Francis Shaw | US Air Force Lieutenant General; Leroy’s superior officer |
| Bill Skarsgård | Pennywise | The supernatural creature; also executive producer |
| Chris Chalk | Dick Hallorann | Supporting character |
| Clara Stack | Lilly Bainbridge | A girl dealing with her father’s death |
| Blake Cameron James | Will Hanlon | Leroy and Charlotte’s son; future father of Mike Hanlon |
| Stephen Rider | Hank Grogan | Series regular |
| Amanda Christine | Veronica “Ronnie” Grogan | Hank’s daughter |
| Madeleine Stowe | Ingrid Kersh / Periwinkle | Head housekeeper at Juniper Hill Asylum; Bob Gray’s daughter |
| Peter Outerbridge | Clint Bowers | Derry’s corrupt police chief |
| Joan Gregson | Elderly Ingrid (1988) | Reprising from It Chapter Two; final role before death in June 2025 |
Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Taylour Paige, and James Remar were announced in April 2023. Bill Skarsgård was officially confirmed to return as Pennywise in May 2024. Madeleine Stowe joined as a recurring guest star in April 2023.
Where Can I Watch IT: Welcome to Derry?
The series streams on Max (the rebranded HBO Max), as well as Disney+ and Hulu in select regions. The primary home is Max, where all 9 episodes will be available weekly from October 2025. A teaser trailer was released on the official HBO Max YouTube channel. For international viewers, the Apple TV listing confirms availability in the UK and other territories.
While Max holds exclusive rights in the U.S., Disney+ and Hulu carry the series in certain international markets. The exact list of countries is still being finalised. Check Stephen King’s official website for regional updates.
How Did IT: Welcome to Derry Develop Over Time?
- – Stephen King publishes the novel It.
- – The film It (directed by Andy Muschietti) is released.
- – It Chapter Two concludes the film duology.
- – HBO Max officially orders the series Welcome to Derry (working title).
- – Principal photography and production completed.
- – Series premiere on Max.
Is IT: Welcome to Derry a Movie or a Series?
This is a common point of confusion. Below is a comparison of what is confirmed and what remains unclear.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| It is a 9‑episode television series, not a film. | Season 2 has not been officially greenlit, though discussions are likely. |
| Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise. | Specific plot details about “The Deadlights” or cosmic elements are speculative. |
| Premieres in October 2025 on Max. | Exact premiere date (day) within October 2025 is not yet announced. |
| Direct prequel to the 2017 film and It Chapter Two. | Whether the series will introduce entirely new supernatural lore beyond the book is unconfirmed. |
How Does IT: Welcome to Derry Fit Into the Stephen King Universe?
The series bridges the gap between the 1960s prologue in the film and the main 1989 timeline. It explores the deeper lore of Pennywise and the history of Derry, a cursed town in King’s mythology. Characters introduced include the parents of familiar figures from the films—most notably Will Hanlon, the future father of Mike Hanlon. The show also expands the role of Dick Hallorann, a character from King’s The Shining universe, linking the series to a wider literary canon.
Market positioning: Welcome to Derry leverages the massive success of the IT film franchise and the current demand for high‑budget horror series on streaming platforms. It is produced by the same creative team behind the films, ensuring tonal consistency.
What Official Sources Confirm These Details?
“Welcome to Derry will expand the vision of the world established in the feature films.”
— HBO Max Press Release (2023)
“Bill Skarsgård is set to return as Pennywise in the series.”
— Variety reporting, confirmed by Wikipedia
“Series run time and episode count of 9 episodes confirmed.”
— IMDB
What Is the Bottom Line on IT: Welcome to Derry?
IT: Welcome to Derry is a 9‑episode prequel series arriving on Max in October 2025. Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise, and the story focuses on the Hanlon family in 1962 Derry. With a strong cast, direct ties to the 2017 films, and Stephen King’s source material, it is one of the most anticipated horror series of the year. For fans of the franchise, The Capture Season 2 – Release Date, Cast and Episode Guide offers a similar comprehensive guide to another series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IT: Welcome to Derry a reboot?
No. It is a prequel television series that connects directly to the 2017 It film.
What is the age rating?
It is expected to be rated TV‑MA for strong horror violence, language, and disturbing thematic content, similar to the films.
Will Tim Curry appear in the series?
No. Bill Skarsgård is the actor playing Pennywise.
Where can I watch IT: Welcome to Derry?
On Max (U.S.), and Disney+ or Hulu in select international markets.
How many episodes are in season 1?
9 episodes.
Is the series based on the Stephen King novel?
Yes. It expands on the 1986 novel It, focusing on the 1962 timeline.
Will there be a season 2?
As of now, season 2 has not been officially greenlit.
When is the exact premiere date?
October 2025 is confirmed, but the specific day has not been announced.
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