As fans await the second installment of HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry, they can indulge in a new special released just in time for spooky season. The prequel series that detailed the origins of Stephen King’s (Misery, The Shining) god-like creature unearthed more of the tale with A Story of Derry. The 30-minute feature fleshes out how It came to Earth and encountered the Indigenous community what would become Derry, Maine.
For those that didn’t watch the 2025 series, Welcome to Derry is set years prior to the events of Andy Muschietti’s (They Will Kill You, Locke & Key) film franchise. In 1962 Maine, a new crop of children battle Pennywise at the height of social unrest and pending war. When those in power seek to weaponize It’s fear for the greater good, the youth learn of an ancient magic to keep him at bay for another 27 years.
A Story of Derry explores a story that only garnered a few scenes in the series. Three young native girls stumble upon horrid creatures in the Western Wood, but are saved by a masked warrior wielding a unique dagger. He tells them how the dagger came to be as the only weapon powerful enough to deter the monstrosity.
When the monster strikes, it’s up to the young heroines to seek wisdom of a extraterrestrial being and cage the creature, something her people — the children of Maturin — pledge to do for generations.
The original series saw Bill Skarsgard (Dead Man’s Wire, The Mosquito Bowl) reprise his leading role as Pennywise alongside Jovan Adepo (Watchmen, The Odyssey), Taylour Paige (I Love Boosters, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), Blake Cameron James (We Grown Now, Found), Matilda Lawler (Flora & Ulysses, The Santa Clauses), Amanda Christine (Black Box, A Black Lady Sketch Show), Clara Stack (Hawkeye, The Naughty Nine), and Arian S. Cartaya (Gordita Chronicles, Pedro Pan).
Welcome to Derry’s second season will explore a slightly different tone, as it brings to life an incident only alluded to in King’s novel. Set in the 1930s, the season will explore the Bradley Gang massacre that was hinted as an Easter egg in the series’ credits scene. With that as the backdrop, we will witness Pennywise’s powers flourish amongst the societal upheaval during the Great Depression era.
While Skarsgard is confirmed to return, no other casting has been announced for the next installment. Make sure to watch Welcome to Derry and this new addition to It’s lore, only on HBO Max.