IT: Welcome to Derry Cast, Premiere Time, and Episode Guide Revealed

The wait is finally over for Stephen King fans. IT: Welcome to Derry, the chilling prequel to the IT films, premieres tonight, October 26, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET and PT on HBO. The new series expands the terrifying world of Pennywise the Clown and brings audiences back to the cursed town of Derry, Maine, decades before the events of the hit movies.

Created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the series serves as both a backstory and a new exploration of fear, community, and evil in Stephen King’s universe. Muschietti, who directed both IT and IT: Chapter Two, also directed several episodes of the new prequel.

IT: Welcome to Derry Cast and Story Details

The IT: Welcome to Derry cast includes Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. Bill Skarsgård is also set to reprise his haunting role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, bringing back one of modern cinema’s most iconic horror figures.

The series begins with the story of Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon, who move to Derry after Leroy’s military service. What starts as a quiet relocation soon becomes a nightmare as they uncover the town’s dark, cyclical evil. According to the official synopsis, the show explores the early origins of Pennywise’s terror and the twisted history of Derry long before the Losers Club ever faced him.

Each episode delves deeper into the forces that shaped the cursed town. Fans can expect the same blend of psychological horror, emotional storytelling, and social commentary that made the IT films stand out. The first season will feature eight episodes, airing every Sunday night, with the finale scheduled for December 14, 2025.

Andy Muschietti on Revisiting the World of IT

Director Andy Muschietti described IT: Welcome to Derry as a chance to expand on Stephen King’s universe and its real-world metaphors. Speaking ahead of the premiere, he called King’s original novel “a masterpiece of horror and a coming-of-age story,” and emphasized that the show reflects how fear can be weaponized in society.

Muschietti added that the prequel aims to remind audiences of the importance of empathy and unity in confronting cruelty and fear. The director’s vision stays true to King’s core themes—how communities can either stand together or collapse when faced with the embodiment of evil.

IT: Welcome to Derry is expected to be one of HBO’s most talked-about releases this fall, blending supernatural terror with real-world relevance. With Muschietti’s direction and Skarsgård’s return, fans are anticipating a series that’s both emotionally resonant and terrifyingly memorable.

The prequel premieres tonight exclusively on HBO and will also be available for streaming on Max.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Is IT: Welcome to Derry a prequel to the IT movies?

Yes. The series serves as a prequel to the IT movies, exploring the history of Derry and the origins of Pennywise the Clown.

Q2: When does IT: Welcome to Derry premiere?

The show premieres tonight, October 26, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET and PT on HBO, with new episodes airing every Sunday.

Q3: How many episodes are there in IT: Welcome to Derry?

There are eight episodes in total, with the season finale set to air on December 14, 2025.

Q4: Who plays Pennywise in the series?

Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, continuing his acclaimed portrayal from the IT films.

Q5: Where can I stream IT: Welcome to Derry?

The series will be available to stream on HBO and Max following its broadcast premiere.