HBOs IT Welcome to Derry Explores Pennywise Origins

HBO's prequel series "IT: Welcome to Derry" has captivated audiences with its exploration of the eerie origins of Pennywise, the shape-shifting entity from Stephen King's novel, as the show delves into 1960s Derry, Maine, four episodes into its first season.

The series, which premiered on October 26, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and streams on Max, follows a group of young residents confronting the town's cycle of fear and child disappearances. Set in 1962, the narrative centers on Will Hanlon, played by Blake Cameron James, and his peers, including Lilly Bainbridge (Clara Stack), Ronnie Grogan (Amanda Christine), and Rich Santos (Arian S. Cartaya), as they encounter the cosmic horror. The story also involves adults like Mike Hanlon's grandfather, who investigates the vanishings, uncovering Derry's buried secrets tied to the creature's arrival.

A midseason trailer released after episode four teases intensified confrontations with Pennywise, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård, reprising his role from the 2017 and 2019 films. The preview highlights the entity's expanding influence and hints at revelations about its transformation into the iconic clown form. Previous episodes offered...