HBO Max has officially released the first teaser trailer for Welcome to Derry, the highly anticipated prequel series to the blockbuster IT films. Set decades before the events of the movies, the show promises to dive deeper into the haunting legacy of Pennywise the Dancing Clown and the cursed town of Derry, Maine.
A Return to the Terrifying World of Pennywise
Welcome to Derry is rooted in the terrifying universe created by Stephen King in his iconic horror novel IT. The new series takes place in the 1960s and introduces a fresh group of young characters who begin to experience the strange, unsettling happenings that plague the town every 27 years.
The story expands the mythos established in Andy Muschietti’s feature films, which grossed a staggering $1.17 billion globally. Muschietti, who directed both IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019), returns to helm four of the series’ nine episodes, ensuring a seamless connection to the cinematic versions.
Bill Skarsgård Returns as Pennywise
After initially walking away from the role, Bill Skarsgård is back to embody Pennywise the Dancing Clown, a performance widely praised by fans and critics alike. Though he had considered closing the chapter on his horror roles due to his work on Nosferatu, Skarsgård admitted that the opportunity to reunite with Andy and Barbara Muschietti—and to explore new layers of the character—pulled him back in.
“I felt like I was done with it,” Skarsgård explained in a recent interview. “But it’s Barbara and Andy, and I love them… We got to explore different sides of old Pennywise. There’s some cool stuff in there that we haven’t seen.”
A New Cast and a Chilling Tease
The teaser trailer gives viewers a glimpse into the eerie, small-town setting and introduces the main cast of young characters. It culminates with a brief but spine-chilling appearance by Skarsgård’s Pennywise, confirming that the horror has only just begun.
The cast also includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. Their roles are yet to be fully revealed, but their inclusion hints at a broad and diverse narrative focus.
The Creative Minds Behind the Series
Welcome to Derry was developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, based on a story inspired by King’s novel. Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane serve as co-showrunners, with Fuchs also penning the teleplay for the premiere episode.
The executive producer team is stacked with talent, including Fuchs, Kane, the Muschiettis, Skarsgård, David Coatsworth, Shelley Meals, Roy Lee, and Dan Lin. The series is produced under the Muschiettis’ Double Dream production banner in collaboration with HBO Max.
Welcome to Derry does not yet have an official release date, but with the teaser now live, fans of Stephen King’s terrifying world can expect more updates—and more nightmares—in the near future.
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