LOS ANGELES, CA — Fans eagerly asking when does the new episode of It come out will be thrilled to know that HBO Max’s highly anticipated Pennywise prequel series, Welcome to Derry, has an official release window. The series, set in Stephen King’s terrifying universe, will debut in spring 2026, with its first episode expected to premiere in April 2026, streaming exclusively on Max (formerly HBO Max).
As of today, November 10, 2025, production on Welcome to Derry has wrapped filming in Toronto, Canada, and post-production is underway. The show will expand the chilling backstory of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, exploring how the sinister force that haunts Derry, Maine, came to be.
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What Is Welcome to Derry About?
Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to the hit films It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019), both based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel. The new series dives deeper into the origins of the town’s evil and the creature that terrorized generations of Derry residents.
Set in the 1960s, the story will reportedly follow a new cast of characters as they encounter the early manifestations of Pennywise’s reign of horror. The show will also explore Derry’s dark history, offering fans clues about how the curse that feeds on fear began.
While specific plot details remain under wraps, insiders describe Welcome to Derry as a mix of supernatural mystery, psychological tension, and deeply emotional storytelling — much like its cinematic predecessors.
Who Is Involved in the New It Series?
The project reunites key creative minds behind the modern It films. Andy Muschietti, who directed both blockbuster movies, returns as an executive producer and will direct several episodes of the first season. His sister and longtime collaborator, Barbara Muschietti, also serves as a producer.
Confirmed creative team:
- Directors: Andy Muschietti (episodes 1–3)
- Writers/Showrunners: Jason Fuchs (It: Chapter Two), Shelley Meals (Shadow and Bone)
- Executive Producers: Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs, and Brad Caleb Kane
- Studio: Warner Bros. Television and Double Dream
Muschietti recently described the series as “a return to Derry with deeper roots — a chance to explore how fear takes hold of a community and never lets go.”
Cast: Will Bill Skarsgård Return as Pennywise?
The most asked question among fans isn’t just when does the new episode of It come out, but also — will Bill Skarsgård return?
As of November 2025, Skarsgård has not been confirmed to reprise his iconic role as Pennywise. However, reports from industry insiders suggest that Warner Bros. has left the door open for his appearance, either as the original creature or in a cameo capacity.
Instead, Welcome to Derry will focus on new characters, with a cast that includes:
- Madeleine Stowe (Revenge)
- Stephen Rider (Daredevil)
- Jovan Adepo (Watchmen)
- Chris Chalk (Gotham)
- Taylour Paige (Zola)
- James Remar (Dexter)
While the younger versions of the Losers’ Club won’t appear, the series will reportedly tie in thematically to their story, setting the stage for the terror that unfolds decades later in the It films.
Release Date Details and Episode Schedule
So, when does the new episode of It come out?
HBO Max has confirmed that the first episode of Welcome to Derry will drop in April 2026, though the exact day has not yet been announced.
The first season will include eight episodes, released weekly — a pattern that HBO has favored for its major original series like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us.
Expected Schedule:
| Episode | Release Window | Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | April 2026 | Max (HBO Max) |
| Episode 2 | April 2026 | Max |
| Episode 3 | April 2026 | Max |
| Episode 4 | May 2026 | Max |
| Episode 5 | May 2026 | Max |
| Episode 6 | May 2026 | Max |
| Episode 7 | June 2026 | Max |
| Episode 8 (Finale) | June 2026 | Max |
The series is expected to premiere first in the United States, followed by international rollout in select regions.
Production Updates and Filming Timeline
Filming for Welcome to Derry began in April 2024 and wrapped in September 2025 after delays caused by the 2023 Hollywood strikes. The production primarily took place in Toronto and Port Hope, Ontario, the same Canadian towns that doubled as Derry in the It films.
Cinematographers and set designers have recreated Derry’s eerie, small-town look with incredible detail — from its foggy streets to the now-famous sewer system where Pennywise first appeared.
The show is currently in post-production, with editing, special effects, and sound design underway. Early insider reports suggest that Warner Bros. and Max plan to release the first trailer in January 2026, roughly three months before the premiere.
What Fans Can Expect from Welcome to Derry
Fans can expect Welcome to Derry to blend the psychological horror of Stephen King’s source material with the high production value of modern HBO dramas.
The series promises to explore:
- The origin of Pennywise and how the entity first arrived in Derry.
- The town’s dark secrets and how fear has shaped generations of its residents.
- The connection between past and present, revealing how Derry became a magnet for evil.
- The emotional and psychological toll that terror takes on everyday people.
While It and It Chapter Two focused on the friendship and courage of the Losers’ Club, Welcome to Derry will dig deeper into the nature of fear itself — how it spreads, mutates, and consumes communities.
Why Fans Are So Excited
The It franchise has become one of the most successful horror properties of the 21st century. The two recent films grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide, making them the highest-grossing horror movies in history.
Stephen King himself has expressed excitement for the series, praising the creative team for expanding his universe while staying true to its emotional core. King shared earlier this year that he had read early scripts and described them as “faithful, terrifying, and deeply human.”
Fans are also eager to see how Welcome to Derry connects to existing It lore — and whether Pennywise’s evil extends beyond what the films revealed.
Where to Watch the New Episode of It
All episodes of Welcome to Derry will stream exclusively on Max, HBO’s rebranded streaming service that combines HBO, Warner Bros., and Discovery content.
Subscribers can access the show through the Max app, available on smart TVs, mobile devices, and major streaming platforms like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
HBO is also planning a limited theatrical preview of the first episode in select U.S. cities before its streaming debut — a move that reflects the studio’s confidence in the show’s cinematic quality.
Final Thoughts: Counting Down to Derry’s Return
So, if you’ve been wondering when does the new episode of It come out, the wait won’t be much longer. Welcome to Derry officially arrives on Max in April 2026, bringing fans back to one of horror’s most chilling towns for a terrifying new chapter.
With an award-winning creative team, a talented cast, and Stephen King’s blessing, the series is poised to become one of 2026’s biggest television events.
Are you ready to return to Derry and face Pennywise once more? Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for the official trailer early next year.
