The terrifying entity haunting Derry, Maine – made famous by Stephen King’s 1986 novel – returns in the HBO series IT: Welcome to Derry. While the series is a prequel to the IT movies released in the 2010s, Pennywise the Dancing Clown, the character’s most recognizable form, hasn’t appeared yet.
Bill Skarsgård is set to return as the terrifying character he played in the IT movies, and he’ll also be a producer on the show. However, the creative team is being very careful about when they reveal him. Co-creator Barbara Muschietti told ScreenRant they’re treating the character like a predator – building suspense and only showing him at the most impactful moments. She believes this slow reveal is what keeps him so frightening, calling it a ‘dose-ification’ of fear.
Andy Muschietti, the director of the IT films and several episodes of Welcome to Derry (and also a co-developer of the series), explained that the show’s approach to Pennywise will be intentionally confusing, keeping viewers guessing about his presence. He described it as a situation where Pennywise seems to be both there and not there simultaneously. This makes sense, especially considering the first episode already features some stand-ins for Pennywise. (Please be aware that this contains spoilers for the first episode of IT: Welcome to Derry.)
IT: Welcome To Derry Has More Horrors Than Just Pennywise
One thing I really appreciate about the way they’re handling the new series is taking the time to show more of what It can be. Stephen King’s novel has around thirty different forms the creature takes, and while Pennywise the clown is iconic, it’s cool they’re hinting at those other appearances early on. We immediately get a sense of It’s power and creepiness with the story of Matty Clements, a young runaway who makes a seriously bad choice when accepting a ride.
The episode builds suspense brilliantly, starting with a subtle feeling of unease and escalating to a shocking and disturbing birth scene involving a monstrous baby. What makes it truly frightening is the subtle way the show hints at Pennywise’s presence – you can see glimpses of it in the characters’ expressions and smiles. This opening sequence is arguably the strongest part of the episode, because it perfectly captures the terrifying idea that It can manifest anywhere, disguised as anyone, at any moment.
The series promises even more scares, including a creepy lampshade sequence and the return of a terrifying baby creature. This baby is even more dangerous, targeting what seems to be the new version of the Losers Club. While the special effects aren’t always perfect – much like the IT films, the show is scarier when it focuses on acting and building tension – it’s a clever move to kill off some of these kids before Pennywise even appears. It makes the story feel much more unpredictable, and leaves you wondering just how bad things will get when the clown finally shows up.
We may already have a glimpse of what’s to come. The upcoming series, Welcome to Derry, will feature the story of The Black Spot, a nightclub from Stephen King’s novel. This club, co-founded by a character from The Shining, is burned down in a racially motivated attack, and there are hints that Pennywise played a role. The show will likely explore this event in detail, and it seems it will be a major scene involving the clown once he appears, probably after a few episodes.
As a horror fan, what really excites me about IT: Welcome to Derry is how it doesn’t need to constantly show Pennywise. The show seems to understand that real-life terrors can be just as frightening. Right from the first episode, they’re tackling tough issues like the town’s racism – and setting it in 1962 naturally connects to the Civil Rights movement – plus the anxieties surrounding nuclear threats. I think weaving those very real fears with the supernatural threat of It/Pennywise is a brilliant move. It’s that mix of human monsters and otherworldly ones that I believe will make this series genuinely scary.
New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry release Sundays at 9pm on HBO and HBO Max.
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2025-10-27 05:10