Yesterday, HBO‘s hit horror television series IT: Welcome to Derry released a surprise ninth episode just in time for Halloween titled: A Story of Derry.
The episode is a standalone 30-minute prequel episode set hundreds of years prior to the events of Season One, which took place in 1962. The episode focuses on a Native American Tribe who encounter the entity known as IT (who takes the familiar form of Pennywise – played by Bill Skarsgard in the films IT and IT: Chapter Two, as well as Welcome to Derry) whilst out hunting in the woods, and attempt to survive.
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The release of this episode comes months after the show was renewed for a second season – which will also be its own prequel to Season One – taking place in 1935. It has received a mixed response online, with many being excited at the surprise reveal on Halloween. The episode is written by Cherie Dimaline and Jasmyne Flournoy and directed by Tazbah Chavez. It stars Kimberly Guerrero, Kiawentiio, Morningstar Angeline, Isabel Deroy-Olson, Michael Podemski-Bedard, Thosh Collins, and Zahn McClarnon.
It was recently announced that the show had been renewed with season two. With HBO Max Original Programming Head Sarah Aubrey saying in a statement “Together with Brad Caleb Kane, they will break new ground in season two, deepening the terror, the mystery, and the unforgettable Pennywise lore that fans love to devour.”
The show was developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, based on It by Stephen King, and released its inaugural first season on October 25th 2025, releasing eight weekly episodes.
A second season is currently in production, set to air on HBO in 2027/2028.
