HBO is set to terrify audiences once again with its new horror series, It: Welcome to Derry. This eight-episode prequel explores the chilling origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, reprised by Bill Skarsgård, and sets the stage for the 2018 blockbuster It and its 2019 sequel, It: Chapter Two. Set in 1962, the series promises to dive deeper into the sinister history of Derry, Maine, revealing the dark forces that have haunted the town for decades.
Director Andy Muschietti, who developed the series with his sister Barbara Muschietti and co-showrunner Jason Fuchs, emphasized that the show leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to horror. Speaking at the series premiere on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, Andy said, “I think the audience likes to be surprised, likes to be stimulated in ways that they weren’t before. We did it more intensely in every aspect.” The series is packed with shocking moments, gruesome scenes, and blood-curdling terror, aimed at viewers who are ready to be truly tested.
Barbara Muschietti added that she was astonished by the studio’s full support. “While we were shooting, I kept thinking, ‘I’m going to get the call,’” she recalled. “But we kept on presenting these scenes and episodes, and they kept responding and loving them. We’ve been very lucky to have the support from the studio.” This level of creative freedom allowed the team to push boundaries, crafting a series that doesn’t shy away from the darkest corners of human fear.
Taylour Paige, who portrays a mother moving to Derry with her Army officer husband and their young son, admitted that the series’ intensity hit her hard. Having given birth just six months earlier, she shared that Barbara had warned her about the first few episodes. “She was like, ‘You just had a baby, honey. Maybe take some time to watch it because those first few episodes…’ But if you’re gonna do it, go all the way. It’s a lot. It’s crazy,” Paige said. “It hit me a little more…It was good that she warned me because I felt nauseous.” Her candid reaction underscores the extreme horror elements the series delivers, from grotesque visuals to heart-pounding suspense.
Chris Chalk, who plays an Army soldier, described his own reaction upon seeing the completed series. “There are things that you are going to see that are appropriately disgusting,” he said, highlighting the creators’ commitment to a visceral horror experience that leaves viewers both shocked and engaged.
Fuchs, the co-showrunner, discussed the philosophical layer behind the horror. “It is a show about the darkness inside all of us. Everyone’s got the dark. Everyone’s got the light. In the case of a show like this, it’s certainly very helpful,” he said. “We really wanted to push the boundaries in terms of horror, the scares, the gore. It is ruthless. It doesn’t pull any punches.” The series balances its terrifying visuals with an exploration of human psychology, making the horror more than just surface-level jump scares.
Beyond It: Welcome to Derry, the Muschiettis also touched on their involvement with the upcoming Batman project, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which exists separately from Matt Reeves’ Robert Pattinson-led franchise. Barbara noted, “The intention is yes, but we can’t talk about it,” while Andy joked, “We have to wait a few, a couple of months to start talking about it. I may have already screwed it up by saying too much.”
With its October 26 premiere on HBO, It: Welcome to Derry promises a chilling exploration of Pennywise’s terrifying origins and the sinister forces lurking in the seemingly quiet town of Derry. From intense gore and shocking sequences to a deep dive into the darkness within humanity, the series sets a new benchmark for modern horror television, challenging even the most fearless viewers to confront their fears head-on.