As a longtime Stephen King fan, I’ve always loved how his stories feel like they exist in the same universe. Over the years, he’s built this amazing, interconnected world, and it’s getting more and more complex! The new prequel, Welcome to Derry, really shows just how carefully he’s been weaving everything together – it’s fantastic to see!
In Stephen King’s interconnected stories, The Dark Tower is the central element that ties everything together, connecting characters, places, and magical powers throughout his work.
The directors of the popular 2017 and 2019 It films, Andy and Barbara Muschietti, explore these fascinating links in their new horror series for HBO.
Taking cues from the memorable side stories in Stephen King’s epic novel, the filmmakers have filled this prequel with references to King’s larger universe. Fans who have followed King’s work for a while will enjoy spotting familiar characters, places, and hidden details.
Read on to discover the major references and Easter eggs woven throughout the eight-part series.
It: Welcome to Derry’s best Stephen King Easter eggs explained
1. The Hanlon family and their connection with the Black Spot
As Ben Hanscom discovered while researching Derry’s history in the first chapter of It, the Black Spot fire was only one of many terrible events that have plagued the town’s disturbing past.
In the second break from the main story, Mike Hanlon’s father, Will, tells the story of how he and his fellow airmen created the Black Spot – a haven for Black customers. Sadly, the establishment was later burned down in a racist attack by a white supremacist group, and several people inside died in the fire.
The new series, ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ revisits the tragic event from Mike’s past, which was altered in the films. Instead of Mike’s father, Will, the show focuses on Mike’s grandfather, Leroy Hanlon (played by Jovan Adepo), as the family member who served in the Air Force.
As Leroy investigates what happened before this crucial time, he’ll be joined by Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) from The Shining, who also helped start the organization.
Stories passed down through generations reveal a repeating pattern of racism, discrimination, and hate crimes in the town. It’s as if these negative emotions and acts of violence directly fuel Pennywise’s power.
2. The Shining and Doctor Sleep
The prequel will heavily feature Dick Hallorann, the character played by Chalk, but this version will be different from the warm and familiar man audiences remember from the Overlook Hotel.
While recognizable for his role in the film The Shining and as a guide to Danny Torrance in Doctor Sleep, the character appears in It: Welcome to Derry as a young boy just beginning to develop psychic powers.
This character appears in the first book from 1986, and later in the series, we learn he becomes friends with Mike’s grandfather, Leroy Hanlon. Together, they open The Black Spot, a bar for veterans.
Jharrel Jerome, known for his role in When They See Us, recently clarified that his character, Dick, is in Derry because of a mistake he made. He stated, ‘That’s the honest reason, and the show will reveal it.’
Chalk described his character, Dick, as finding the people of Derry completely uncool and lacking respect for them. He explained that Dick’s story arc revolves around this disdain, contrasting it with the outwardly friendly persona Dick usually presents. Chalk jokingly wished his character luck navigating this internal conflict.
3. Other references to It: Chapter One and Two
The series includes several references to the It movies, such as a meteorite impacting the town – an event central to Pennywise’s backstory. A black-and-white photograph of Bob Gray, a human identity Pennywise used in the book, also appears.
Fans have long wondered why this cosmic being, capable of changing its form, sometimes goes by that particular name. The show’s trailers suggest we might soon find out more about this intriguing part of Pennywise’s story.
A large statue of Paul Bunyan is featured being built in the town, and this is the very same statue that the character Pennywise later uses to scare Richie Tozier. The real-life statue that inspired the one in the book can still be seen in Bangor, Maine, and it’s a favorite destination for Stephen King fans.
Sharp-eyed viewers might notice graffiti in the girls’ restroom that says “Alvin Marsh” inside a heart. This is a nod to the character who later becomes Beverly Marsh’s abusive father in both It: Chapter One and It: Chapter Two.
4. The Dark Tower
The movies It: Chapter One and It: Chapter Two include several references to turtles, a nod to the cosmic turtle Maturin from Stephen King’s books. In Chapter One, you can spot a LEGO turtle and a TRTL brand walkie-talkie in Georgie’s room. Later, in Chapter Two, a turtle model appears on a desk at Derry Elementary.
These mentions point to Maturin, a powerful, good being central to Stephen King’s stories. In The Dark Tower series, Maturin is one of twelve protectors of reality, guarding the entire multiverse. He comes from a spiritual realm called the Macroverse and is a natural enemy of the evil entity, Pennywise.
Although the Muschiettis’ two movies didn’t fully explain the importance of the turtle-like creature, the eight-episode series features these turtle images much more often, allowing it to explore this mysterious background in greater detail.
The school features Bert the turtle as its mascot, and students often dress up as him. Turtles are a recurring theme, appearing as a charm on bracelets, and one character even believes they bring good luck.
Keep your fingers crossed, Dark Tower fans!
5. Shawshank Redemption
Widely regarded as a classic, The Shawshank Redemption is a very popular film based on a 1982 novel by Stephen King.
The famous prison from the story appears for the first time in this installment of ‘It’, shown as a navy-blue bus with ‘Shawshank State Prison’ painted on the side.
6. Juniper Hill Asylum
The notorious Maine psychiatric hospital frequently shows up in Stephen King’s work, featuring in novels like It, Castle Rock, 11/22/63, and Gerald’s Game.
Like the character Henry Bowers from the movie It, and Lilly from Welcome to Derry, this particular patient has a fascinating background involving the asylum.
7. Carrie
The Capitol Theatre in Burlington, Iowa, is the memorable cinema shown at the beginning of the first episode of It: Welcome to Derry. Sadly, this historic movie theater permanently closed in March 1977.
The historic Art Deco theatre closed its doors with a showing of the movie Carrie, which is based on Stephen King’s 1974 novel.
You can watch new episodes of It: Welcome to Derry every week on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Consider subscribing to Sky TV to access the show.
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2025-10-27 14:36