How to Watch IT: Welcome to Derry – Premiere Date, Cast, Episodes, and Streaming Details

The chilling world of Stephen King’s IT returns this month with HBO’s brand-new prequel series IT: Welcome to Derry. The show officially premieres on Saturday, October 26, 2025, at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max, diving deep into the terrifying origins of Pennywise the Clown and the cursed town of Derry, Maine.

Set decades before the events of the hit films IT (2017) and IT: Chapter Two (2019), this series explores how the evil that haunted generations began. It promises a fresh look into the mythology that made the original story a horror landmark.

IT: Welcome to Derry – Storyline and Cast

The series takes place in 1962, long before the Losers Club faced the creature. It centers around the grandfather of Mike Hanlon, a familiar name from the original films. Through his perspective, viewers witness how Pennywise’s malevolent presence first surfaced and how Derry became a breeding ground for darkness.

Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, reprising his iconic role that terrified millions worldwide. Joining him are Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. The mix of returning and new faces ensures both continuity and new intrigue in Stephen King’s universe.

The series is developed by Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti (who directed and produced the IT films) alongside Jason Fuchs. Muschietti also directs the pilot episode, ensuring that the tone and style remain faithful to the franchise’s cinematic roots.

Episode Schedule and Streaming Details

IT: Welcome to Derry will consist of eight episodes in total. The premiere airs on October 26, 2025, followed by weekly releases every Sunday night on HBO and HBO Max. The series will also stream on affiliated platforms internationally, such as Sky and NOW in select regions.

Each episode will explore the town’s eerie past, focusing on the cycle of terror that repeats every 27 years. Expect plenty of callbacks to Stephen King’s original lore, including subtle references to key events and families from the IT novels and films.

What Makes IT: Welcome to Derry Stand Out

This prequel series expands the IT mythology like never before. By setting the story in the early 1960s, the creators aim to blend supernatural horror with the historical context of the era—reflecting societal fears alongside otherworldly evil. The show is described as a psychological and atmospheric horror, rather than just relying on jump scares.

Fans can also expect visually stunning sequences and emotional storytelling, a hallmark of the Muschietti siblings’ filmmaking. Early previews suggest a mix of small-town mystery, generational trauma, and haunting nostalgia—all wrapped in King’s signature dread.

In short: IT: Welcome to Derry will unmask how the nightmare began, giving fans a deeper understanding of Pennywise’s origin and the town’s cursed legacy. With its October 26 debut, the series stands as one of 2025’s most anticipated horror releases.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: When does IT: Welcome to Derry premiere?

The series premieres on Saturday, October 26, 2025, at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Q2: Where can I watch IT: Welcome to Derry?

You can stream the show on HBO and HBO Max. Internationally, it will air on partnered networks like Sky and NOW.

Q3: How many episodes does IT: Welcome to Derry have?

The first season features eight episodes, with one episode released each week after the premiere.

Q4: Who stars in IT: Welcome to Derry?

The main cast includes Bill Skarsgård, Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso.

Q5: What is IT: Welcome to Derry about?

The series follows the origins of Pennywise and how the town of Derry became cursed decades before the events of the original IT films.