The nightmare continues. HBO Max has released the first trailer for Welcome to Derry, a new television series that acts as a prequel to the popular IT films based on Stephen King’s horror novel.
Watch: First trailer to ‘IT’ prequel series
This new series takes the story back in time to explore the early days of the evil creature known as Pennywise the Clown.
The trailer introduces a chilling atmosphere, set in the year 1962. This is 27 years before the events of the IT movies where a group of children called The Losers Club first encountered Pennywise. In the IT universe, Pennywise is a supernatural creature that awakens every 27 years to feed on the fear of children, usually before going back into hiding.
The trailer shows children mysteriously disappearing again, strange smiles appearing through windows, and the return of the eerie, sewer-dwelling clown.
It also hints at a new group of young characters who will have to face this horror, echoing the cycle seen in the previous films.
One of the key references in the trailer is to the burning of The Black Spot, a nightclub in the town of Derry. In Stephen King’s novel, this venue was a target of a racist attack.
Although this part of the story is not explained in detail in the trailer, it sets the backdrop for the new timeline.
What we know about ‘Welcome to Derry.’
Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise, the same terrifying clown he portrayed in IT and IT Chapter Two. Other cast members include Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso.
The series is developed by Andy and Barbara Muschietti, the team behind the IT films, alongside writer Jason Fuchs. Andy Muschietti will also direct four of the nine episodes in the first season.
According to the press materials, the series is meant to expand on the universe created in the films, providing new details about Pennywise’s past and how his cycle of terror began.
The show will debut on HBO in 2025 and will also be available to stream on Max, the rebranded version of HBO Max. It is being produced by HBO and Warner Bros. Television, with several executive producers including Skarsgård himself.
Although the trailer keeps many story details secret, it confirms that the series will maintain the same frightening tone and dark themes that fans expect from the IT universe.
With Pennywise back and the town of Derry facing another wave of horror, Welcome to Derry promises to explore the origins of fear in a new, deeper way.
