The horror genre has found a new favorite in IT: Welcome to Derry. The first episode of the much-awaited prequel to Stephen King’s IT dropped on October 26, and fans have been completely hooked ever since. Set in 1962, the story opens with eerie hints that Derry’s curse is far older and more twisted than Pennywise himself, setting the stage for a chilling and mysterious season ahead.
Created by Andy and Barbara Muschietti along with Jason Fuchs, the show brings viewers back to the roots of Derry’s evil. It captures the same haunting energy as the films but adds a deeper layer to the town’s dark history. The storytelling is slow, unsettling, and deeply psychological — exactly what fans of Stephen King love most.
The good news for fans is that they won’t have to wait long for the next dose of horror. Episode 2 of IT: Welcome to Derry is set to release on October 31, 2025 — perfectly timed for Halloween. The show will have eight episodes in total, with one new episode dropping each week until the finale on December 14, 2025.
The cast is another major highlight. It features Chris Chalk, Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, James Remar, Madeleine Stowe, Stephen Rider, Rudy Mancuso, Blake Cameron James, Amanda Christine, Matilda Lawler, Arian S. Cartaya, and Clara Stack. But the biggest excitement comes from Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. His chilling presence brings back the fear and fascination that made the IT movies such massive hits.
The series aims to dive deep into the twisted origins of Derry — the mysterious town where horror never seems to die. It explores how the evil that haunts the place began long before the children’s stories of the 1980s, blending supernatural terror with emotional and societal themes.
With the Muschietti siblings, who directed IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019), back as producers, the show carries the same disturbing visuals, suspenseful atmosphere, and emotional storytelling that defined the films.
For anyone who loves Stephen King’s stories or psychological horror that lingers in your mind long after watching, IT: Welcome to Derry is already shaping up to be one of the most thrilling and terrifying shows of the year.