No other writer has captured our collective imagination more thanStephen King. The success ofIT: Chapter OneandChapter Twotook audiences back to Derry, Maine, and reacquainted them with the sinister clown known as Pennywise.IT: Welcome to Derry, an upcoming series set to air onHBO Max, will delve into the mythology of Pennywise and take us back to the sleepy New England town where evil lurks. Here’s what we know about the series so far.
What Will ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Be About?
A major change to the lore of Pennywise, which took place in the two recent adaptations, was changing the time period from the late 1950s to the 1980s.The original television miniseries, directed by Tommy Lee Wallace (Halloween III: Season of the Witch), was far more faithful to the events in King’s novel, which began in 1957. Be that as it may,the new series acts as a prequel to theITwe know and love, beginning in 1962. The story will not only build upon the lore of the infamous clown but also address many social matters that were a major part of American history in the early 1960s.
The HBO adaptation will include an aspect of the novel missing from previous adaptations: the incineration of a prominent African-American social club called the Black Spot. The act of arson, perpetrated by a group referring to themselves as the Maine Legion of White Decency, will not only come to represent the growing racial tension in America during the 1960s, but also develop the web of evilinfluence that Pennywise holdsover the citizens of Derry.
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The recent trailer released by HBO Max vividly illustrates the ideal vision of suburban utopia, as Norman Rockwell might have depicted it. However, the evil lurking behind the shadows is ever-present. The juxtaposition of sinister evil and the carefree existence of suburbia is once again set to haunt our nightmares. The children of Derry will be faced with evil that defies comprehension.
Who’s Involved with ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’?
Behind the Camera
IT: Welcome to Derryis being brought to life by familiar faces and newcomers.Directing duties on the series will be in the capable hands of Andy Muschietti, who was responsible for bringingIT: Chapter OneandIT: Chapter Twoto the big screen. Having Muschietti helm the project is a natural choice to preserve the continuity and tone of both adaptations. In addition to the director of the modern adaptations ofITbeing involved with the new series, a remarkable creative team behind the scenes is expected to lend their talents to expand on the lore of Pennywise.
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In Front of the Camera
The actors who will portray the residents of Derry are an eclectic group with years of experience. Most notably,Bill Skarsgård will again don the makeup to assume the role of Pennywise the clown. In addition, actors Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and Miles Ekhardt are confirmed to star in the show. Paige is best known for her brilliant roles inZolaandMa Rainey’s Black Bottom. Adepo has appeared in multiple projects, includingFences,Babylon, andOverlord. Ekhardt is a relative newcomer, but has already shown promise inTurtles All the Way Down.
Some noteworthy veterans will bring their experience toIT: Welcome to Derry. The series will feature James Remar, best known as Ajax inThe Warriorsand his recurring role onDexter, andMadeline Stowe (12 Monkeys,The Last of the Mohicans). All six episodes will feature Joshua Odkick, known to audiences for his work inLittle BirdandWildhood.
IT: Welcome to Derryhas some discernible talent in front of and behind the camera. The involvement of those who were involved in the recentITadaptations promises to maintain continuity and tone. As we prepare to return to Derry, Pennywise is waiting. We’ll all float toward this new series with eager anticipation.
When and Where Can I Watch ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’?
IT: Welcome to Derryis scheduled for release in October 2025.It will be streaming in its entirety on HBO Max.
It: Welcome to Derry
