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Fans are eagerly awaiting for the chilling show It: Welcome to Derry, already garnering praise and drawing from themes from the broader King universe. Following the premiere, the broadcaster announced that the next chapter will debut sooner than expected, scheduled ideally for Halloween.

Early Release Information

Beginning on October 31 at 3 a.m. EST, episode two of the Derry prequel will make its debut on HBO Max, prior to its linear broadcast. Future chapters of the eight-episode season will be released on the weekend on HBO and HBO Max, leading up to the season finale on December 14th.

Series Overview

Set in Stephen King’s It universe, Welcome to Derry borrows elements from the original story while building upon the universe brought to life by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the recent movie adaptations. The first It movie highlighted young characters confronting terrifying threats, so it’s fitting that the series upholds that legacy. Yet, the first installment of the streaming show shows it set out to escalate the fear, delivering even more intense scares than the movies and creating a brutal tone for the rest of the season.

Setting and Themes

Set in 1962, this show presents a different group of adults and children inhabiting a outwardly charming locale concealing a evil heart. The town operates on a cruel, recurring cycle—one marked by aggression, prejudice, and paranormal events, as a monstrous presence reappears once every three decades. Even though the series might appear like it leans too heavily to the films initially, what distinguishes the digital program is its two-sided viewpoint—unfolding through the perspectives of kids and grown-ups simultaneously. The kids are especially susceptible to It's terror, but grown-ups aren’t spared dealing with their individual fears stemming from Derry’s deep-seated bigotry and hidden paranormal elements.

It: Welcome to Derry premieres on the 31st of October at midnight PT.