It: Welcome to Derry - 5 Mind-Blowing Revelations from NYCC [Stephen King Prequel] (2025)

Prepare to have your childhood fears resurrected! HBO's "It: Welcome to Derry" promises to delve deeper into the terrifying origins of Pennywise, but is it just another unnecessary cash grab, or is there a genuine story to tell? The initial reaction to the announcement of an "It" prequel series was a mix of excitement and skepticism. After all, how much more could we possibly learn about the ancient, shape-shifting evil that embodies itself as a clown and preys on children with red balloons? Turns out, quite a lot.

Led by the creative powerhouse of Andy and Barbara Muschietti (the duo behind the recent "It" movies), along with showrunners Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane, "Welcome to Derry" generated significant buzz at New York Comic Con. The event rolled out the red carpet, indicating that this series is poised to become a major hit within the horror and nerd communities. The panel featured the Muschiettis, the showrunners, and cast members including Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Taylour Paige, and Kimberly Guerrero, who shared exclusive clips and a trailer, which sparked considerable excitement. But the most intriguing part was the discussion among the creative team, offering insights that fans will find invaluable.

Here are five key takeaways you should know before diving into "It: Welcome to Derry," which is set in 1962, decades before the events of the original "It."

1. "It: Welcome to Derry" Has a Real Reason to Exist

In an era saturated with reboots and prequels, it's valid to question the necessity of any new addition to an established franchise. Does it really need to exist? When it comes to "It: Welcome to Derry," the answer appears to be a resounding yes. The series could have easily become another example of corporate-driven content, simply churning out franchise material for profit. Fortunately, it seems Stephen King enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief because the team behind this series has a clear vision and a genuine passion for the source material.

Andy Muschietti, director of both "It" and "It: Chapter Two," revealed that the idea for the series materialized shortly after completing the second film. After successfully convincing Bill Skarsgård to reprise his iconic role as Pennywise (which, sadly, did not come to pass), the project quickly gained momentum. Muschietti emphasized that this isn't merely an origin story for the killer clown and his recurring reign of terror in Derry, Maine, every 27 years. While there will be strong connections to familiar characters from the movies – with Mike Hanlon, the Losers' Club member who remains in Derry, playing a significant role – the Muschiettis and the showrunners highlighted that characters like Chris Chalk's Dick Hallorann (from "The Shining", also by Stephen King) will be explored in ways that more closely align with King's original novel, something the movies couldn't fully achieve.

With this approach, the series promises to fill in the gaps and expand upon the lore established in the two blockbuster films.

2. "It: Welcome to Derry" Boasts an Unconventional Structure

Currently, "It: Welcome to Derry" is only confirmed for a single season, but the writers have ambitious plans for the future. Andy Muschietti explained that each season will draw direct inspiration from Pennywise's cyclical nature. As fans know, the interdimensional entity manifests physically at regular intervals, appearing in the "flesh" every 27 years. The creators decided to structure the first season (and potentially subsequent seasons) around one of It's cycles on Earth. If the series continues, future seasons will shift time periods, focusing on another 27-year cycle.

But here's where it gets controversial...

That's just the beginning of the unique structure of "Welcome to Derry." When asked about the source material for the writers, Muschietti noted that the movies left much of King's original novel unexplored, leaving "more questions than answers." He further elaborated:

"For me, what's interesting here is kind of the blueprint for a different story, a hidden story, a story that is not told forward, but a story that is told backwards. And, as of the conclusion, the events in which It became Pennywise. There's more to it, there's a reason and a secret why we're telling this story backwards. We can't tell you now, but maybe after you've seen the show."

This backward storytelling approach is a bold move, and it raises intriguing questions about how the series will reveal Pennywise's origins and motivations.

3. The Movie Connections in "It: Welcome to Derry" Will Surprise You

While "Welcome to Derry" is positioned as a prequel and origin story, don't expect to predict every connection to the "It" movies. An earlier trailer hinted at the series exploring Pennywise's space-bound backstory from the book. This broader adaptation of Stephen King's novel will heavily influence the season's direction.

As previously mentioned, expect to see ancestors of familiar characters. Jovan Adepo's Leroy Hanlon and Taylour Paige's Charlotte Hanlon are clearly the grandparents of Mike Hanlon, a key member of the Losers' Club in both "It" films. Other characters will have subtle aspects that may go unnoticed by casual viewers, while dedicated fans will be rewarded with numerous Easter eggs. This layered approach ensures that both newcomers and seasoned fans will find something to appreciate.

4. "It: Welcome to Derry" Might Add Depth to Stephen King's "It: Chapter Two" Cameo

Perhaps the most fascinating Easter egg involves Rose, a new character played by Kimberly Guerrero. As an Indigenous character in the 1960s timeline, she introduces a fresh (and previously unexplored) perspective that we haven't seen before. Guerrero stated that "Welcome to Derry" will take us back to the original Losers Club and show how Rose's ancestry played a role in fighting the villain. In fact, her character even connects to Stephen King's cameo in "Chapter Two." As she explained:

"Rose knows everything that happened before Derry was Derry. There was a first Losers Club, and that Losers Club was a group of Indigenous kids. And my character is a direct descendent of those kids."

"Who remembers in 'Chapter Two' when Stephen King shows up? It's one of my favorite moments in the 'It' movies, and he shows up in this store called Secondhand Rose. I am Rose. And it's so perfectly placed, because Rose is the keeper of memories."

This connection adds a layer of depth to King's cameo, transforming it from a simple appearance into a meaningful link to the history of Derry and the ongoing struggle against Pennywise. And this is the part most people miss...

5. "It: Welcome to Derry" Will Make You Wait for Pennywise

All the footage screened at the NYCC panel shared one common element: a limited glimpse of It in his clown form as Pennywise. There's a deliberate reason for this. In various scenes, the ancient horror appears to characters as figures from their nightmares or memories. Strangers in a grocery store, family members, and loved ones are all potential disguises for the antagonist most people know as the clown from hell. Forcing viewers to wait until later in the season to see It fully unleashed as Pennywise is a strategic choice in "Welcome to Derry."

Described as playing the "Jaws" game with Pennywise (referencing Steven Spielberg's classic film where the shark is largely unseen for most of the movie), this approach aims to build suspense and anticipation. As Barbara Muschietti explained, "So, Pennywise. He is our shark. We believe wholeheartedly that we can't allow the audience to get comfortable. We have to hide the ball." Andy added, "There was an intention to make his appearance of Pennywise fun, create a sense of anticipation, this buildup, the suspense that I think people will not know when — the importance of his ability is, 'When is the clown going to show up?' We can't tell you, but he will."

This strategy could be highly effective, keeping viewers on edge and heightening the impact of Pennywise's eventual appearance.

"It: Welcome to Derry" premieres on HBO and HBO Max October 26, 2025.

Now, here are some questions to ponder: Do you think withholding Pennywise's appearance will enhance the horror, or will it frustrate viewers? Are you excited about the exploration of Derry's history and the Indigenous Losers Club? And perhaps most importantly, do you believe this prequel is a worthy addition to the "It" universe, or just another example of franchise fatigue? Share your thoughts in the comments below!