IT: Welcome to Derry Premieres Tonight on HBO — Full Episode Guide, Cast, and Release Schedule

IT: Welcome to Derry, the highly anticipated prequel to Stephen King’s classic horror saga, premieres tonight on HBO. The series brings fans back to the chilling town of Derry, Maine, decades before the events of the 2017 and 2019 IT movies. The first episode airs at 9 p.m. ET and PT, marking the beginning of an eight-episode season that will unfold weekly through December 14.

The new series expands the universe created by director Andy Muschietti, who helmed the IT films. Co-created with Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs, the show dives deeper into the origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, exploring how the town’s dark history began long before the Losers’ Club ever existed.

IT: Welcome to Derry Episodes, Cast, and Release Schedule

According to Deadline, IT: Welcome to Derry will air every Sunday on HBO, with new episodes dropping at 9 p.m. ET and streaming on Max shortly after broadcast. The eight-episode season finale is expected to premiere on December 14, 2025. Each episode is designed to uncover more about Derry’s twisted past and the evil force lurking beneath its surface.

The series follows Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon, a couple who move to Derry after Leroy’s military service. The story unfolds as the couple encounters the eerie undercurrents of the small town, which begins to reveal its horrifying secrets. HBO describes the series as an expansion of Stephen King’s IT universe, merging the supernatural with human fear in haunting fashion.

The cast includes Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. Fans are particularly excited by reports that Bill Skarsgård will return to reprise his terrifying role as Pennywise the Clown. Skarsgård’s portrayal of the demonic entity in the films earned widespread acclaim for its chilling realism and psychological depth.

Andy Muschietti on Revisiting Stephen King’s World

Director Andy Muschietti recently shared his reflections on revisiting the world of IT. Speaking at the series premiere, Muschietti described the project as both a tribute to Stephen King’s vision and an exploration of modern fears. “When Stephen King wrote IT, he was writing a masterpiece of horror and a coming-of-age story,” he said. “But it was also a parable of fearmongering and the weaponizing of fear in the real world.”

He added that the series seeks to remind audiences of the power of unity and empathy in the face of terror: “If you believe in empathy and love, we can keep together and stand up against the violence and intimidation and cruelty that these clowns are bestowing upon us.”

IT: Welcome to Derry aims to blend supernatural horror with social commentary, continuing King’s legacy while expanding the mythology for a new generation of viewers. The combination of a strong ensemble cast, psychological storytelling, and Muschietti’s signature cinematic touch makes the series one of HBO’s most anticipated fall releases.

Fans can tune in to HBO tonight at 9 p.m. ET to witness the origin of Pennywise and the darkness that shaped Derry’s fate. IT: Welcome to Derry promises to be both a terrifying and thought-provoking addition to the Stephen King universe.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What time does IT: Welcome to Derry premiere on HBO?

The series premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET and PT on HBO, with episodes streaming later on Max.

Q2: How many episodes are in IT: Welcome to Derry?

There are eight episodes in total, with new episodes airing weekly through December 14, 2025.

Q3: Who stars in IT: Welcome to Derry?

The cast includes Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso. Bill Skarsgård is expected to return as Pennywise.

Q4: Is IT: Welcome to Derry connected to the original movies?

Yes, it’s a prequel to the IT films directed by Andy Muschietti and set in the same universe based on Stephen King’s novel.

Q5: Where can I watch IT: Welcome to Derry online?

The show will be available for streaming on HBO and Max after its television broadcast.