IT: Welcome to Derry: Release Date, Seasons, Where to Watch

The dancing clown is back — but this time, Derry gets the full story. IT: Welcome to Derry takes viewers behind the 2017 films to explore the town that shaped Pennywise, with an eight-episode first season that premiered on HBO in December 2025. The series drew 5.7 million viewers in its first three days, making it the third most-watched debut on the platform that year. For fans of the original films and newcomers alike, the prequel promises to reframe everything you thought you knew about Stephen King’s most terrifying creation.

Planned Seasons: 3 ·
Premiere Year: 2025 ·
Based On: Stephen King’s 1986 novel It ·
Prequel To: It (2017) and It Chapter Two ·
Platforms: HBO Max, Sky, Prime Video

Is IT: Welcome to Derry actually coming out?

IT: Welcome to Derry is indeed a real series, developed by Andy and Barbara Muschietti — the sibling duo behind the original 2017 It films. Season 1 comprises eight episodes, with the first season now fully aired. The series is positioned as a prequel, exploring Derry, Maine, before the events depicted in the films, and aims to expand Stephen King’s mythology across multiple eras.

Production status

Filming commenced in May 2023 but encountered disruption when the SAG-AFTRA strike paused production in July 2023. Work resumed, and filming ultimately concluded in August 2024. Casting for the series began in May 2024, with Bill Skarsgård officially cast as Pennywise in May 2024.

Announced premiere details

The series premiered on HBO in the US on October 26, 2025, with the finale airing December 14, 2025. UK viewers could access the series on Sky and NOW starting the following day, October 27, 2025, with the UK finale on December 15, 2025. New episodes in the UK aired on Mondays following the US Sunday premiere.

The series garnered significant early interest, drawing 5.7 million viewers in its first three days on HBO — the third most-watched debut on the platform that year, behind only House of the Dragon and The Last of Us. Average audience per episode reached 10.7 million, with viewership increasing approximately 60% from episode to episode throughout the season.

Is Welcome to Derry season 2 confirmed?

The series has a three-season plan on paper, according to producer Barbara Muschietti, who explained that each season would cover events separated by 27 years — roughly matching the generational gaps present in King’s original novel. However, as of December 2025, no official season 2 premiere date or production start has been announced.

Season 2 status

While the creative framework for expanded seasons exists and Stephen King reportedly expressed enthusiasm for the multi-season concept, formal greenlighting for season 2 remains pending. This is a common pattern for streaming horror productions, where performance metrics from the initial season often determine continuation.

Three-season plan

The Muschiettis envision each season exploring a distinct period in Derry’s history, potentially covering different traumatic events tied to Pennywise. “The seasons would be 27 years in distance from each other,” Barbara Muschietti stated in interviews. “Basically making a season with each event.” This structure would allow the series to examine how Derry’s dark secret manifested across decades.

When does Season 2 of ‘Welcome to Derry’ come out?

No specific release window for season 2 has been confirmed. Production timelines for HBO horror series typically involve 12-18 months between seasons, but this depends heavily on cast availability, location scouting for period settings, and the performance of the initial season.

Expected timeline

Given that filming for season 1 concluded in August 2024, a realistic production window for season 2 would see filming begin in late 2025 or early 2026, with potential premiere dates falling in 2026 or 2027 if the pattern holds. However, no announcements have been made to confirm this timeline.

Season 1 context

Season 1 follows a Black couple moving to Derry, Maine, in 1962, played by Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige. The era-specific setting requires significant period production design, which would similarly apply to any future seasons set in different decades.

Where can I watch Welcome to Derry UK?

UK viewers have multiple options for streaming IT: Welcome to Derry. The series is available through Sky Atlantic, the streaming service NOW, and Sky Go. Additionally, UK audiences can access the series via the HBO Max Amazon Channel. For those preferring ownership models, episodes are available for purchase on Amazon Video and Apple TV.

UK streaming options

No free streaming options exist for IT: Welcome to Derry in the UK — all legitimate viewing routes require a paid subscription or purchase. Sky and NOW represent the primary subscription routes, with the Amazon Channel offering another subscription pathway for those who prefer that platform interface.

Global platforms

US viewers access the series through HBO and Max. The UK release schedule follows the HBO releases closely, with Sky airing episodes the day after their US debut. International availability beyond these markets varies by region.

How many seasons of Welcome to Derry will there be?

Three seasons are planned in total, according to the series producers. Each season would occupy a different historical period, covering distinct events tied to Derry’s dark history with Pennywise. Season 1 covers 1962, and subsequent seasons would presumably move forward or backward in time.

Overall plan

The three-season structure reflects a deliberate choice to parallel Stephen King’s original novel, which spans multiple eras as the Losers’ Club confronts Pennywise at different life stages. By setting each season 27 years apart, the series can explore how Derry’s curse affected different communities over time.

Episode counts

Season 1 contains eight episodes. Official episode counts for seasons 2 and 3 have not been announced, though the series appears structured around the eight-episode format that has proven successful for HBO’s horror programming.

Critical reception

The series received generally positive reviews upon release. Critics praised the direction under Andy Muschietti, the production values, and the title sequence, as well as performances across the cast. However, criticism emerged regarding the writing and certain visual effects sequences, particularly in later episodes.

The penultimate episode premiere drew 5.8 million viewers, demonstrating sustained audience engagement throughout the season. Average viewership per episode reached 10.7 million, with notable growth as the season progressed.

— Wikipedia (based on official HBO viewership reporting)
For those eager to learn more about the upcoming season, the Shogun season 2 release date can be found here. Shogun season 2 release date

The story so far

Season 1 centers on Will and ms. named characters — a Black couple moving to Derry in 1962, portrayed by Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige. Their arrival marks the beginning of their encounter with Derry’s sinister presence. The season finale, titled “Winter Fire,” aired in December 2025 and reportedly featured a significant revelation about Derry’s history.

“The seasons would be 27 years in distance from each other. Basically making a season with each event.”

— Barbara Muschietti, Producer

The series finale episode 8 (“Winter Fire”) released on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 2 AM on Sky Atlantic in the UK, with a repeat broadcast at 9 PM, and availability on NOW streaming. US viewers could watch the finale on HBO on Sunday, December 14, 2025, maintaining the one-day difference between territories.

The production journey

IT: Welcome to Derry’s path to screens involved significant obstacles. Production originally aimed for a 2024 HBO Max release before being delayed. The SAG-AFTRA strike of 2023 caused a multi-month halt, pushing the entire schedule back. The official trailer launched September 23, 2025, approximately one month before premiere.

What’s ahead

The three-season vision remains ambitious but unconfirmed. With season 1 now complete, the question shifts to whether viewership performance and production logistics will align to bring the subsequent seasons to life. Stephen King’s Derry mythology offers decades of potential storylines, but each season would require period-specific production investment and cast coordination.

The implication is clear: whether the franchise expands beyond its first season will depend substantially on how these inaugural eight episodes perform in long-tail streaming metrics and award considerations. For horror audiences who have followed Derry’s story from King’s novel through two films, the prequel represents both closure and a potential new beginning.

Related reading: 28 Years Later

While Season 1 draws massive HBO viewership, the Max exclusive streaming guide details Max access for UK fans alongside Sky and Prime Video options.

Frequently asked questions