Be warned, this article contains spoilers for episode 7 of IT: Welcome to Derry. Jason Fuchs, a co-creator of IT: Welcome to Derry, discusses how Stephen King’s input shaped the show’s look at Pennywise’s origins. Episode 7 begins with flashbacks revealing the story of Bob Gray, the actor who originally played Pennywise, and the reason why IT chose the form of a clown.
In a conversation with Grant Hermanns from ScreenRant about IT: Welcome to Derry, Fuchs discussed how he and the Muschietti brothers (Andy and Barbara) developed the history of the character Gray, which hadn’t been explored much before.
Fuchs and the Muschiettis worried about explaining too much of a story that was supposed to remain enigmatic. Fortunately, Stephen King, as a creative partner on the series, helped them navigate these questions. This allowed them to confidently share Gray’s backstory, explain his relationship with Mrs. Kersh, and reveal the reason IT manifests as a clown.
It really comes down to how you handle the story. As a huge Stephen King fan—like me, Brad, and the Muschiettis—you have to be very careful. I think the best parts of stories—not just ‘IT,’ but many of my favorite books—are the questions that are never fully answered. I’ve been thinking about those mysteries ever since I first read this book as a kid. As a reader, I enjoy both the intrigue of not knowing and the desire to find out what’s behind it all.
When exploring a character like Bob Gray and the reasons behind his transformation into Pennywise, audiences expect compelling explanations. If those answers aren’t strong, it feels pointless to even attempt the story. The goal is to be as daring and imaginative as Stephen King himself, but that also creates worry. Creators constantly question whether their choices are too extreme, stray too far from established lore, or if King would even support them.
One of the best parts of working with Stephen King on this show is that we could explore unsettling ideas without worrying about going too far. We always had him as a resource to bounce ideas off of – to ask, ‘What if this happened?’ or ‘Could this be the explanation?’ While we were excited and a little nervous, knowing we could check with Stephen to make sure we were staying true to the spirit of his work gave us a lot of confidence.
Bob Gray is a prime example of this ambiguity. When looking at his story within the films, it’s hard to know what’s true and what isn’t. The movies present a narrative from IT, told through Mrs. Kersh to Beverly Marsh, about a clown and her father. But is this story actually real? Or is it something IT fabricated? Did Bob Gray truly exist, or is he just another piece of the deception? These were the questions we wanted to explore.
We also wondered why the creature, IT, chose the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. While IT preys on people’s deepest fears, not everyone is afraid of clowns. So, we realized it wasn’t just about fear. At the beginning of the story, young Georgie isn’t necessarily afraid of Pennywise. He’s a little uneasy, but he’s drawn in by the clown’s friendly approach, promises of popcorn, and talk of the circus – things that appeal to a child.
The flashbacks reveal children captivated by Gray’s performances as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. IT observes this fascination, questioning why the children are so drawn to Gray before leading him into the woods, where he apparently dies a violent death.
The story shows how IT cleverly attracts children, and also beautifully portrays the bond between Gray and his daughter, Periwinkle – named after her mother. This explains why Periwinkle later becomes Mrs. Kersh, who mistakenly believes IT is her father. She spends years unknowingly leading people to the creature, until she uncovers the truth and tragically dies in the final episode of Welcome to Derry.
Stephen King hasn’t just given notes on the show’s development – he’s been a vocal supporter. He even included Welcome to Derry on his list of five Halloween recommendations and, before episode 7 aired, praised the final two episodes as “dynamite” on Threads.
Post by @stephenkingView on Threads
This is a notable success, especially considering the author hasn’t always approved of adaptations of his books. A well-known example is Stephen King’s dislike of Stanley Kubrick’s film version of The Shining.
If the show Welcome to Derry gets picked up for seasons two and three, it will have a chance to further impress Stephen King and delve deeper into the backstory of Gray Trace. The creators intend for the second season to be set in 1935 and the third in 1908, mirroring previous occurrences of IT’s appearances in Derry. Because the flashbacks featuring Gray are set in 1908, the third season will offer a great opportunity to explore his story in more detail, including the events that unfolded when he and IT went into the woods.
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2025-12-09 05:59