Attention, Stephen King devotees: the highly-anticipated series Welcome to Derry is assembling a captivating cast as it takes shape. Set within the same universe as Andy Muschietti’s acclaimed adaptations of It from 2017 and 2019, the series promises to delve into the origins of Pennywise the Clown with Bill Skarsgård reprising his iconic role.
The cast lineup for HBO’s Welcome to Derry has been unveiled, and it features not only established talent but also fresh faces. In addition to Bill Skarsgård, Rudy Mancuso has been confirmed as a lead actor, also taking on directing duties for multiple episodes. The ensemble cast includes Alixandra Fuchs (The Chi), Kimberly Guerrero (Outer Range), and Dorian Grey (Star Trek: Discovery). Their collaboration aims to bring new life and depth to the town of Derry.
An Expanding Ensemble
The production aims to harness the same dynamic that worked for The Losers Club in the It films, opting for character actors and emerging talents over A-list stars. Thomas Mitchell (Spiral), BJ Harrison (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), and Peter Outerbridge (Saw VI) are among the names adding a new dimension to Derry’s sinister charm.
This approach echoes the success seen in previous adaptations, emphasizing story-driven performances rather than star power. With Skarsgård’s haunting portrayal of Pennywise underpinning the narrative, this casting choice feels particularly astute.
Mysterious Yet Familiar Territory
The series is backed by Warner Bros. Television and Double Dream, Muschietti’s production company. Co-creators Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane, noted for their work on Wonder Woman and Tokyo Vice, respectively, will serve as co-showrunners alongside directing talent including Andy Muschietti.
The script for the first episode is already penned by Fuchs who will also share executive producer duties with Muschietti’s team. In keeping with King’s original narrative tapestry, the story will start in the 1960s, prior to events depicted in ‘It Chapter One’
, gradually expanding on the dark lore etched by King’s novel.
A New HBO Original
Pitched initially for Max streaming service, Welcome to Derry has now been designated an HBO original series. This shift indicates a commitment to delivering high-quality horror content directly on HBO while making it accessible via Max streaming.
The series’ cryptic logline reads: Set in the world of Stephen King’s ‘It’, it expands upon King’s novel and solidifies Andy Muschietti’s vision established in his feature films.
A Wait Worthwhile
‘Welcome to Derry’ is slated for a 2025 premiere date, marking an eagerly awaited return to King’s pulsating horror universe. Fans can expect not only a faithful interpretation but also new angles that enrich the mythos around Pennywise.
This means there’s ample time for anticipation and speculation as we edge closer to unveiling more layers of Derry’s past enigma before its impending doom under Pennywise’s terror.