IT: Welcome To Derry—5 Shocking Secrets About The Prequel And When Season 2 Really Comes Out
The long-awaited prequel series to Stephen King’s terrifying universe, It: Welcome to Derry, has officially arrived. As of today, December 22, 2025, the entire first season is available to stream, having concluded its eight-episode run on HBO and Max. The initial question of "when does Welcome to Derry come out" has been definitively answered, but now a new, even more urgent question has taken its place among horror fans: What is the status of Season 2, and when can we expect Pennywise to return?
The series has successfully carved out its own chilling corner of the It mythology, serving as a deep-dive prequel to the blockbuster films directed by Andy Muschietti. The first season premiered on October 26, 2025, and has since reignited the global obsession with the terrifying entity known simply as It. This definitive guide breaks down the full Season 1 release schedule, the confirmed cast and crew that brought Derry, Maine, to life, and the most current, up-to-date information on the potential future of the series.
The Complete Welcome to Derry Season 1 Release Schedule
Unlike many streaming releases that drop an entire season at once, It: Welcome to Derry followed a traditional weekly release model on HBO and Max. The series spanned eight episodes, beginning in late October and concluding in mid-December 2025. This schedule allowed for weeks of terrifying water-cooler discussion and speculation among fans of the Stephen King novel and the modern film adaptations.
The season officially premiered on Sunday, October 26, 2025, with new episodes airing weekly on HBO at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT and simultaneously available for streaming on Max. The full schedule for the first season's 8 episodes is as follows:
- Episode 1: "The Pilot" — October 26, 2025 (Aired)
- Episode 2: "The Thing in the Dark" — November 2, 2025 (Aired)
- Episode 3: "The Town That Forgot" — November 9, 2025 (Aired)
- Episode 4: "Bloody Sunday" — November 16, 2025 (Aired)
- Episode 5: "Neibolt Street" — November 23, 2025 (Aired)
- Episode 6: "In the Name of the Father" — November 30, 2025 (Aired)
- Episode 7: "The Black Spot" — December 7, 2025 (Aired)
- Episode 8: "Winter" (Season Finale) — December 14, 2025 (Aired)
The entire first season, which delves into the dark history of the fictional town of Derry, Maine, is now available for binge-watching exclusively on the Max streaming platform.
The Timeline Explained: When the Prequel Fits into the It Universe
One of the most compelling aspects of the series is its careful placement within the established It mythology. It: Welcome to Derry is a direct prequel to the films It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019), both of which were also directed by Andy Muschietti.
The Fifties Setting and the 27-Year Cycle
The series is set primarily in the early 1960s, a crucial period that directly precedes the first major appearance of the Losers' Club in the 1980s (as depicted in the 2017 film).
This timeline is significant because the show takes place roughly 27 years before the events of the 2017 film, perfectly aligning with the 27-year cycle that the creature known as It (often appearing as Pennywise the Dancing Clown) uses to feed on the children of Derry.
The plot centers on a new group of characters who are forced to confront the town's horrific past and the malevolent entity that has plagued it for centuries. The story explores the deep-seated corruption and fear that allow Pennywise to thrive, providing a richer context for the events of the films.
Key figures from the It lore are confirmed to appear, including a younger version of Dick Hallorann, the character who later appears in Stephen King's novel The Shining, further cementing the series' place in the King multiverse.
Cast, Creators, and Core Entities of the Series
The creative team behind the successful films returned to shepherd the prequel series, ensuring continuity and a consistent tone. The show features a stellar ensemble cast, including the return of the creature's most famous form.
Key Cast and Characters (Topical Authority Entities)
The series introduces a new set of protagonists and supporting characters, all tragically linked by the presence of It. The main cast includes over 15 key entities:
- Bill Skarsgård as It / Pennywise the Dancing Clown
- Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon
- Jovan Adepo as Leroy Hanlon
- Stephen Rider as Hank Grogan
- Matilda Lawler as Marge Truman
- Amanda Christine as Ronnie Grogan
- Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann
- Madeleine Stowe as a key supporting character
- James Remar as a cast member
- Kimberly Norris-Guerrero as a cast member
Creative Team and Production
The series is a passion project for the Muschietti siblings and a significant addition to the Stephen King cinematic universe.
- Stephen King: Author (Original Novel)
- Andy Muschietti: Co-Creator, Executive Producer, and Director (of the two films)
- Barbara Muschietti: Co-Creator and Executive Producer
- Jason Fuchs: Co-Creator and Co-Showrunner
- Brad Kane: Executive Producer
- HBO / Max: Network / Streaming Platform
The Burning Question: When Does Welcome to Derry Season 2 Come Out?
With the Season 1 finale, "Winter," having aired on December 14, 2025, the immediate focus has shifted entirely to the possibility of a second season. The early critical and ratings success of the show has made renewal seem highly likely, though an official announcement has not yet been made.
Current Status and Potential Release Window
As of late December 2025, It: Welcome to Derry has not been officially renewed for Season 2 by Max. However, the creators have been very open about their long-term vision for the series.
The Three-Season Saga: Co-creator Andy Muschietti and the production team have indicated that they envision the prequel as a three-season saga, with each season potentially exploring a different era of Pennywise's presence in Derry.
Projected Release Date: Given the extensive production required for a high-quality horror series of this scale, including writing, filming, and post-production, a potential Season 2 would likely not arrive until late 2026 or early 2027.
The Muschietti Update: The creative team has offered a "cautious update," confirming that while they are eager to continue the story and have plans in place, they are waiting on the official green light from the network.
Fans should monitor official announcements from Max and the Muschiettis. If a renewal is confirmed in early 2026, a premiere in the Fall of 2027—potentially around the Halloween season—would be the most realistic scenario for the return of Pennywise and the next chapter of the Derry timeline.
How to Watch the Full First Season Now
Since the entire first season of It: Welcome to Derry has been released, watching the series is straightforward.
The series is an HBO original and is exclusively available on the Max streaming platform (formerly HBO Max). Subscribers can stream all eight episodes of Season 1 immediately.
For those who prefer traditional viewing, the episodes also aired weekly on the HBO cable channel. However, the most convenient way to experience the terrifying prequel is by streaming the full season on Max, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the dark history of Derry, Maine, and the terrifying origins of Pennywise.
Detail Author:
- Name : Chelsea Schowalter
- Username : cordie.crist
- Email : voconnell@yahoo.com
- Birthdate : 2001-09-28
- Address : 176 Wisozk Shore Nitzschemouth, WV 65646-5397
- Phone : 1-260-350-7487
- Company : Schmidt, Dickinson and Veum
- Job : Bench Jeweler
- Bio : Cumque et vitae fugiat non cupiditate. Explicabo aut qui numquam voluptas. Nam illum illum ullam facilis.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/lambert3934
- username : lambert3934
- bio : A at sed est corporis perspiciatis id et. Accusamus minus quo ex reprehenderit odit quae quo.
- followers : 1930
- following : 835
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/lambert_xx
- username : lambert_xx
- bio : Cum reiciendis recusandae est velit vitae labore eligendi.
- followers : 6878
- following : 2640
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@lambert.batz
- username : lambert.batz
- bio : Cum et impedit id necessitatibus minus.
- followers : 1393
- following : 2400
