If you loved the It movies as much as I did, then you’re probably as pumped as I am about the upcoming Welcome to Derry series, one of the most highly-anticipated new shows on the horizon — at least for horror fans.
Good scripted horror TV is sometimes hard to come by and when we do get a good show, they don’t usually last as long as we’d like them to.
There are horror television series that come to mind that have had long runs: Supernatural, The Walking Dead, and American Horror Story.
(Max / Screenshot)
But, over the years, they seem to lose the punch they had in their early seasons, becoming almost a mockery of themselves.
Sometimes short is sweet, but sometimes shows abruptly end before their time, such as the phenomenal Evil on Paramount+, disappointing their fans.
From everything we know so far about Welcome to Derry, it probably isn’t going to be a long-running series, but that’s okay. It doesn’t need to be. We certainly don’t want the show to overstay its welcome.
But who knows? A lot of stories could be told about that haunted little town of Derry, Maine.
What is Welcome to Derry About
Welcome to Derry is the prequel to the It movie franchise, which includes It (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019). The movies were a two-part adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel of the same name.
(Warner Bros. Pictures / Screenshot)
Set in the fictional town of Derry, Maine, Welcome to Derry expands the Derry universe created by King and delves into the origins of Pennywise the clown, leading up to the events of the first film.
Pennywise is a malevolent clown who appears every 27 years. He enjoys terrorizing Derry’s residents, particularly the children.
And by terrorize, I mean he has a bloodthirsty “taste” for them. He also has an affinity for red balloons.
It’s kind of like the frightening Jaws theme song.
Whenever you hear the da-dum notes, you know the man-eating shark from hell is around, whether you see it or not.
The red balloons give you that same vibe.
Who is Behind Welcome to Derry?
Adding to the excitement is that Welcome to Derry was developed by Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, the brother-sister duo behind the It films.
What that means, and why it’s exciting, is that the feel of the series will be consistent with the feel of the films.
Both are serving as executive producers of the series.
Andy Muschietti directed both films and was set to write and direct a few of the series’ episodes as well.
(Max / Screenshot)
Jason Fuchs, who wrote the screenplay for the 2017 Wonder Woman film and was a co-producer on It: Chapter Two, co-developed the series with the Muschiettis.
He’s also serving as the executive producer and showrunner of Welcome to Derry, and Brad Caleb Kane is a co-showrunner.
When the series was announced in 2022, Stephen King, who isn’t shy about expressing his pleasure or displeasure on adaptations of his novels, had this to say about Welcome to Derry via a press release:
“I’m excited that the story of Derry, Maine’s most haunted city, is continuing, and I’m glad Andy Muschietti is going to be overseeing the frightening festivities, along with a brain trust including his talented sister, Barbara. Red balloons all around!“
(Warner Bros. Pictures / Screenshot)
The Muschiettis added:
“As teenagers, we took turns reading chapters of Stephen King’s It until the thick paperback fell to pieces.
“It is an epic story that contains multitudes, far beyond what we could explore in our It movies. We can’t wait to share the depths of Steve’s novel, in all its heart, humor, humanity, and horror.”
Who is in the Cast of Welcome to Derry?
The most exciting part about Welcome to Derry is that Bill Skarsgard will reprise his role as Pennywise, the evil clown.
After the series was first announced, there were indications that Skarsgard would not appear in Welcome to Derry.
Luckily for all of us, he came on board and doubled his role in the series as a cast member and executive producer.
If a new actor took up the role of the malevolent Pennywise, it certainly wouldn’t have the same feel as the films.
(ABC / Screenshot)
Back in 1990, the legendary actor Tim Curry played Pennywise for a two-part miniseries, Stephen King’s It, which appeared on ABC.
Curry played a mean Pennywise who was scary as hell for that time, but there’s only so much you can do on network TV, lest the censors come a’calling.
Skarsgard’s take on Pennywise took the character to a whole new level.
Literally, the stuff of nightmares.
(Max / Screenshot)
Other cast members for Welcome to Derry have been confirmed, but their roles have yet to be released, including:
- Chris Chalk (Perry Mason, Gotham)
- Madeline Stowe (12 Monkeys)
- Taylour Paige (Zola)
- Jovan Adepo (3 Body Problem, Fences)
- Stephen Rider (Daredevil, Instinct)
- James Remar (Magnum P.I., Dexter)
- Peter Outerbridge (The Umbrella Academy, Sullivan’s Crossing)
- Tyner Rushing (For All Mankind)
(Max / Screenshot)
- Kimberly Guerrero (Station 19)
- Chad Rock (Joe Pickett)
- Alixandra Fuchs (Hatfield & McCoys)
- Morningstar Angeline (Outer Range, Westworld)
- BJ Harrison (Family Law)
- Joshua Odjick (The Swarm)
- Thosh Collins (Echo)
- Thomas Mitchell (Air Craft Investigation)
- Shane Marriott (The Porter)
As an interesting sidenote, Adepo played Larry Underwood in the 2020 Starz miniseries, The Stand, based on the 1978 Stephen King novel of the same name.
When Will Welcome to Derry Premiere?
It was announced in March 2022 that the It prequel series was moving forward fully, with a premiere date scheduled for 2024.
However, although filming began in 2023 in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, production stalled that same year because of the writer’s strike.
The good news is that filming resumed in early 2024, and after 237 days, the series wrapped production in early August.
How Many Episodes Will Welcome to Derry Have?
Currently, the Welcome to Derry prequel has nine episodes planned to tell the story of the haunted town of Derry and Pennywise.
But what’s most interesting about Fuchs’ announcement above is his reference to “this season.”
Does that mean we may get more than one nine-episode season?
As mentioned previously, there’s a lot that could be explored about Derry in the prequel, years and years worth, before the events that take place in It and It: Chapter Two.
(Warner Bros. Pictures / Screenshot)
As long as Welcome to Derry doesn’t overstay its welcome, I’m up for it!
But this is all pure speculation. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
Where To Watch Welcome to Derry
Welcome to Derry will hit our small screens in 2025, though no official date has yet been released.
The series will air on both HBO and Max.
Is There a Trailer for Welcome to Derry?
Prepare yourselves! This ain’t America! This is Derry!!
Shortly after announcing filming had finished for Welcome to Derry, HBO released a super short teaser for the show, and it’s fire!
Blood, terror, and could that possibly be a young Pennywise at the end?
We don’t see much, but it’s just enough to get your adrenaline pumping!
How goes it, TV Fanatics? Are you excited about this new chapter in the IT franchise?
Let your voice be heard in the comments below.
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