WELCOME TO DERRY

Welcome to Derry: The Origins of Pennywise and the Terror Beneath the Surface

Welcome to Derry is an upcoming horror television series set to expand the chilling universe of Stephen King’s It. Developed as a prequel to the successful films directed by Andy Muschietti, the series takes audiences back to the haunting town of Derry, Maine, to explore the origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown and the town’s sinister history. While the It films focused on the Losers’ Club and their encounters with the ancient evil, this series promises to pull back the curtain on the dark roots of the creature and the disturbing legacy that has haunted Derry for generations.

The show is set in the 1960s, decades before the events of It: Chapter One. By going back in time, the narrative aims to explore how Pennywise first came into being and how Derry became a place marked by repeated cycles of violence and tragedy. Fans can expect the series to delve into the lore that the films only hinted at—such as the origins of the creature, its connection to the town, and the mysterious patterns of horror that seem to recur every 27 years. This prequel approach allows the story to balance familiar elements with fresh perspectives, offering both longtime fans and new viewers a deeper dive into King’s terrifying world.

What sets Welcome to Derry apart from the films is its format. As a series, it has the freedom to build atmosphere more gradually, fleshing out characters, backstories, and the unsettling environment of the town itself. Derry, always portrayed as a seemingly ordinary community hiding unimaginable horrors, is expected to play a central role. The series can explore how the townsfolk unconsciously enable or ignore the evil in their midst, highlighting themes of collective denial and complicity that have long been present in King’s works.

Though details about the cast and specific storylines have been kept under wraps, the creative team includes Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, who were behind the It films, ensuring continuity of tone and vision. Their involvement guarantees that the series will carry the same chilling atmosphere and emotional depth that made the movies such a success. There is also speculation that Bill Skarsgård may reprise his role as Pennywise, though this has not been officially confirmed. Regardless, the character’s presence is sure to loom large, whether through direct appearances or through the unfolding of his monstrous mythology.

Thematically, Welcome to Derry is expected to expand on the core ideas that have always made It compelling: the intersection of childhood fears and adult trauma, the power of memory, and the persistence of evil across time. By setting the story in an earlier era, the series also opens the door to explore social and cultural issues of the 1960s, adding new layers to the horror narrative.

As anticipation builds, Welcome to Derry represents both a return to familiar nightmares and an opportunity to witness something new. It is not just a prequel for fans of It, but a chance to deepen the mythology of one of horror’s most enduring monsters. If the series succeeds, it will solidify Derry as more than just a backdrop—it will stand as a character in its own right, a place where fear never dies and where the shadows of the past refuse to stay buried.