IT: Welcome to Derry

IT: Welcome to Derry is a horror drama television series that serves as a prequel to the acclaimed IT films, exploring the origins of the titular supernatural entity in the fictional town of Derry, Maine. Set in 1962, the series delves into the mysterious disappearances of local children and the ancient evil that lurks beneath the town's surface. As a group of misfit friends begins to investigate these unsettling events, they uncover a conspiracy involving the U.S. military, which seeks to weaponize the entity, and a local Native American tribe tasked with keeping it contained.

The narrative weaves together the perspectives of these children, the military personnel, and other townspeople, all grappling with the rising unease and terror that Pennywise, the shape-shifting clown, brings to Derry. The series aims to expand upon the lore established in Stephen King's novel and the subsequent film adaptations, offering a deeper look into the entity's history and the town's dark secrets. Created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the show premiered on HBO on October 26, 2025, and stars Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and Matilda Lawler among its ensemble cast. [edit]

In 1962, the small town of Derry, Maine, is gripped by a wave of child disappearances that echo the town's bloody history. A group of ostracized kids — including the sharp-eyed Marge Truman, the tough Ronnie Grogan, and the pariah Lilly Bainbridge — begin to suspect that something ancient and malevolent is responsible. Their investigation leads them to the sewers and the abandoned house on Neibolt Street, where they encounter Pennywise, a shape-shifting entity that feeds on fear.

Parallel to the children's quest, the Derry Air Force base becomes a focal point for a top-secret military operation. Leroy Hanlon, a decorated African American war hero and pilot, is assigned to a project involving psychic phenomena. He is joined by Dick Hallorann, a soldier with the ability to shine, who can sense the entity's presence. General Francis Shaw oversees the operation, which aims to capture and weaponize Pennywise. The military's actions inadvertently weaken the ancient barriers that contain the entity, escalating the threat.

At the same time, the town itself becomes a character, with its residents divided by racial tensions and Cold War paranoia. Hank Grogan, a black man, is falsely accused of mutilating children, a crime actually committed by Pennywise. His imprisonment highlights the deep-seated prejudice that allows the entity to thrive. Charlotte Hanlon, Leroy's wife, struggles to protect their son Will, who becomes a target of Pennywise's games. The children, led by Marge and Lilly, form a bond with Rich Santos, whose tragic death early in the season propels the others to confront the evil head-on.

The season arc builds toward a confrontation on the frozen Penobscot River, where the children must reseal Pennywise using a ceremonial dagger. They are aided by Dick Hallorann, who distracts the entity by pretending to become its human vessel. The climax involves a struggle at a gnarled tree at the edge of town, where the ghost of Rich Santos helps the children drive the dagger into the ground, temporarily banishing Pennywise. However, the entity reveals its ability to manipulate time, hinting that its influence may extend beyond the present, setting up a larger threat for future seasons.[edit]