It: Welcome to Derry Season 2 Moves Ahead Without HBO Nod
Despite no official green light from HBO, It: Welcome to Derry’s second season is already in development. Director Andy Muschietti is pressing on with the chilling prequel’s next chapter.
Fans of the sinister clown saga have something to smile about—It: Welcome to Derry is already gearing up for a second season, even though HBO hasn’t formally given the go-ahead. While the broadcaster remains tight-lipped, director Andy Muschietti is forging ahead with plans for the next instalment of the horror prequel, which delves into the origins of Pennywise and the town’s dark history.
Word of the show’s progress surfaced alongside news that Christina Hodson, known for Birds of Prey, is set to pen the script for DCU’s Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The same report confirmed Muschietti’s involvement in the upcoming season, which is set to expand on the chilling world introduced in the first chapter. The director has been open about his vision for the series, which explores how new generations in Derry confront the terrifying entity lurking beneath their streets.
Setting the Stage: Derry’s Dark Past
Speaking to Variety last December, Muschietti offered a glimpse into what’s coming next.
“We can only say the stuff that's already known, like it's in 1935, 27 years before season 1 and it involves the massacre of the Bradley Gang from the books,”
he explained.
“It takes place during the Depression in Derry, and there are some new characters and some characters from this season as well, but younger versions of them.”
This means the story will jump back nearly three decades before the events of the first season, landing in the midst of the Great Depression. The infamous Bradley Gang massacre, a key moment from Stephen King’s original novel, will take centre stage, promising a fresh batch of horrors for the locals of Derry.
Returning Faces and New Blood
Long-time residents of Derry, including Kimberley Guerrero’s Rose, James Remar’s Shaw, and Madeleine Stowe’s Ingrid, are expected to appear in the new season. However, given the time shift, these familiar characters will likely be portrayed by different actors, offering a new perspective on their backstories. The show’s timeline shake-up means viewers will see younger versions of some faces they’ve already met.
One thing that’s not changing: Bill Skarsgård is set to return as the menacing Pennywise, ready to unleash more chaos on the unsuspecting townsfolk. His chilling performance remains at the heart of the series, ensuring the next chapter will be just as unsettling as the last.
What’s Next for Derry?
The first season, dubbed “Chapter One” in its closing credits, is currently available for streaming on HBO Max. As anticipation builds for the next round of terror, punters can revisit the debut season or check out other much-hyped TV releases and top Stephen King adaptations.
So, which 2026 series are you most keen to see hit the screen?