HBO has released the first spine-tingling Trailer for It: Welcome to Derry, pulling back the curtain on the terrifying origins of Stephen King’s infamous horror mythos. Slated for a 2025 premiere on HBO Max, the series serves as a prelude to Andy Muschietti’s It films, diving deep into the cursed history of Derry, Maine.
Set in 1962, the show sets an eerie tone right from the start. The Trailer, rich in dread-laden atmosphere, hints at the looming return of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Bill Skarsgård reprises his chilling role as the otherworldly shapeshifter and also takes on duties as an executive producer. The actor has previously teased that the series will be “pretty hardcore.”
Co-created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the series pulls inspiration from the haunting interludes of King’s 1986 novel—chapters that recount the town’s bloody past and recurring cycles of horror. Notable events like the Kitchener Ironworks explosion and the burning of the Black Spot are expected to feature prominently.
Muschietti, who directed the two It films, returns to direct four of the nine episodes. Fuchs shares showrunning duties with Brad Caleb Kane.
The cast includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso, adding a strong ensemble to the expanding It universe.
Stephen King has voiced support for the project, with Muschietti revealing the author has been informally involved in shaping the story’s direction. HBO is reportedly eyeing multiple seasons, with potential to explore even earlier hauntings in Derry’s sinister timeline.
It: Welcome to Derry is shaping up to be a chilling new chapter in the saga of one of horror’s most iconic villains—and fans won’t have to wait too long to float again.
