Pennywise Returns: ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ Premieres on HBO Max

The chilling saga of Pennywise continues as HBO Max prepares to release the highly anticipated series, It: Welcome to Derry, this weekend. Serving as a prequel to the popular films based on Stephen King‘s work, the show features Bill Skarsgård reprising his iconic role as the terrifying Dancing Clown.

From the creative minds of director-producer duo Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, who previously brought the film adaptations of King’s novels to life, It: Welcome to Derry is set in the year 1962. The narrative centers around the grandfather of Mike Hanlon, a member of the Losers Club, exploring the origins of the malevolent Pennywise. The character of Mike Hanlon is portrayed by Chosen Jacobs in It and Isaiah Mustafa in It: Chapter 2.

Release Schedule for ‘It: Welcome to Derry’

Episode 1 of It: Welcome to Derry will air on October 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET on HBO. Viewers in the UK can catch the series on Sky and the streaming service NOW starting October 27 at 2:00 AM GMT, with a repeat airing at 9:00 PM GMT.

The show will follow a weekly release schedule, with new episodes debuting every Sunday. The complete schedule is as follows:

– **Episode 1**: October 26, 2025
– **Episode 2**: November 2, 2025
– **Episode 3**: November 9, 2025
– **Episode 4**: November 16, 2025
– **Episode 5**: November 23, 2025
– **Episode 6**: November 30, 2025
– **Episode 7**: December 7, 2025
– **Episode 8**: December 14, 2025

Where to Watch and Episode Count

All episodes of It: Welcome to Derry will be available for streaming on HBO Max in the United States. For viewers in the UK, the series will be accessible through Sky and NOW.

The inaugural season consists of a total of eight episodes, each promising to delve deeper into the sinister lore surrounding Derry and its infamous entity.

As the horror genre continues to thrive, the return of Pennywise in It: Welcome to Derry is sure to captivate fans and newcomers alike. For those eager to explore the darker side of King’s universe, this series stands as a noteworthy addition to the growing list of adaptations from the acclaimed author.