It: Welcome to Derry stars reveal how “terrifying” Bill Skarsgård was kept hidden on set

by

Pennywise the Dancing Clown has returned, with Bill Skarsgård once again portraying the terrifying character and his unforgettable, creepy smile.

This eight-part HBO horror series takes place in 1960s Derry and follows a group of kids who are haunted by the terrifying clown, Pennywise. The show also explores the dark history of how Pennywise came to be.

Amanda Christine, who plays Ronnie in the earlier story, shared that she’d hoped to see the actor on set, but the production team kept his presence very quiet. It was a closely guarded secret.

We caught brief glimpses of him occasionally, but seeing him fully revealed in that official scene was truly frightening. He was very tall, with a disturbing outfit and headpiece, and often appeared with teeth and what looked like blood.

She explained that she suddenly became incredibly frightened, saying, ‘I’d never been afraid of clowns before, but in that moment, I was absolutely terrified!’

Blake James, who plays Mike Hanlon’s father, Will, on the show, described the experience as simply terrifying. He also mentioned that the creature is incredibly tall – around six foot five inches.

When asked what made Bill Skarsgård so terrifying in his role, he explained it wasn’t just the makeup. He also highlighted Skarsgård’s disturbing facial expressions and intimidating height – at six foot five, you’re forced to look up at him, which is a truly frightening experience. He said he wouldn’t wish that feeling on anyone.

Arian S. Cartaya, who plays Rich, remembered filming a very stressful scene in the sewers. He explained that he only ever saw Bill Skarsgård in his full Pennywise costume, never as himself. During the scene, Bill suddenly rushed towards them, and Arian screamed so loudly that he accidentally had an accident.

Clara Stack, who plays Lilly, described the excitement and nervousness everyone felt before finally meeting the character. She said seeing him for the first time was a truly awe-inspiring and surprising moment for the whole cast.

I thought Bill Skarsgård was amazing as the character! He really brought him to life and genuinely scared me, but in a way that was also super enjoyable to watch. It was terrifying and fun, which is a tough balance to strike!

Although it will likely take a few more episodes, viewers can expect to see Bill Skarsgård’s terrifying clown at full strength in the prequel, It: Welcome to Derry, which promises to be truly frightening.

Based on the surprising and unsettling scene in the first episode, you might want to watch with the lights on—just in case it gives you the chills!

New episodes of It: Welcome to Derry are released weekly on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

Read More

2025-10-27 20:34