Story perspectives

IT: Welcome to Derry Premieres October 2025 on HBO Max

10/16/2025

Summary

Pennywise Returns: Derry

HBO Max will premiere IT: Welcome to Derry on October 26, 2025.
The nine-episode prequel, directed by Andy Muschietti, is based on Stephen King's 1986 novel.
Pennywise is played by Bill Skarsgård, with the story set in 1962 in Derry, Maine.
The show will run three seasons, each a 27-year cycle, with weekly episodes ending December 14.

Summary

Derry's Untold Stories

HBO Max's IT: Welcome to Derry premieres on October 26, 2025.
The show is set in 1962, featuring Leroy Hanlon, Mike Hanlon's grandfather.
Indigenous character Rose, played by Kimberly Guerrero, aims to correct past misrepresentations of Native American culture.
The show will explore Dick Hallorann's backstory, portraying him as more troubled than in prior adaptations.
The narrative draws on Mike Hanlon's interludes from Stephen King's novel, using backward storytelling.

History

Historical Context

Stephen King's 1986 novel "It" introduced the shape-shifting entity Pennywise, reflecting childhood fears and trauma. The 1990 miniseries adaptation, starring Tim Curry, became a cultural touchstone, attracting 30 million viewers. The upcoming HBO Max series, set in 1962, aims to explore character backgrounds and enhance Native American representation, showcasing the industry's evolving focus on inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.

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Pennywise Returns: Derry

HBO Max will premiere IT: Welcome to Derry on October 26, 2025.
The nine-episode prequel, directed by Andy Muschietti, is based on Stephen King's 1986 novel.
Pennywise is played by Bill Skarsgård, with the story set in 1962 in Derry, Maine.
The show will run three seasons, each a 27-year cycle, with weekly episodes ending December 14.

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