The nightmare is far from over for the residents of Derry. The creative team behind the highly anticipated HBO series “IT: Welcome to Derry” just revealed massive new details regarding the scope of the project. Fans expecting a simple miniseries are in for a much longer ride into the darkness.
Executive producers Andy and Barbara Muschietti confirmed that the prequel is designed as a multi-season narrative that digs deep into the history of the shapeshifting entity. This new chapter promises to peel back the layers of the clown’s terrifying origin story.
Unveiling the three season plan
Most horror prequels attempt to squeeze a backstory into a single film or a limited series. The team behind this project has much bigger ambitions. Andy Muschietti recently confirmed that the show is not a one-off event. It is actually the beginning of a planned trilogy of seasons.
The story is designed to run for three full seasons to fully explore the mystery.
This structure allows the writers to take their time. They do not need to rush the scares or the character development. Andy explained that the narrative acts as a journey toward the past. Viewers will uncover more layers of the history as the episodes progress.
He noted that by the end of the third season, the audience will understand why they told the story backwards. It is a puzzle that requires patience and attention to detail. This approach mirrors the dense and layered storytelling found in Stephen King’s original novel.
The decision to expand beyond a single season changes everything. It suggests that the lore of Pennywise is too vast for a quick explanation. Barbara Muschietti emphasized that this was always the plan. They wanted to build a structure that could hold the weight of the “Macroverse” that King created.
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise clown smiling menacingly in dark sewer
Digging deep into the origin of Pennywise
The central mystery of the show revolves around the entity known as IT. Fans of the movies know him best as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. But the new series aims to answer the questions that the films could not touch.
Andy Muschietti shared that the idea for the show was born on the set of “IT: Chapter Two.” He spent hours talking with actor Bill Skarsgård about the character. They wondered how the entity became Pennywise in the first place.
The series will explore the cryptic circumstances surrounding Bob Gray and his transformation.
In the book, the details about Bob Gray are mostly hearsay. They are fragments of a puzzle that the characters try to piece together. The showrunners saw this as a golden opportunity. They realized there was a larger story to tell that connects the clown to the wider cosmic mythology.
“It started with the idea of a prequel film. We were talking about making a prequel with the origin story of Pennywise. How did it become Pennywise? What were the circumstances around it?”
Co-showrunner Jason Fuchs added that they want to know why the creature stays in Derry. It is a being of infinite possibilities. It could go anywhere in the world. Yet it chooses to feed on this specific town every 27 years.
The show will also investigate why it prefers the form of Bob Gray. There are infinite shapes it could take to terrify its victims. The fixation on the clown persona is a psychological thread the writers are eager to pull.
Setting the stage in a turbulent era
The setting of the show is just as important as the monster. The story takes place in 1962. This is a time of postcard innocence on the surface. But there is a deep rot underneath that the showrunners are keen to expose.
The writers are using the social tension of the nineteen sixties to fuel the horror.
Brad Caleb Kane explained that ignoring the real-world tension of that era would be dishonest. The creature thrives on hate and fear. The America of 1962 provides plenty of both. The show aims to tear the facade off the “perfect nuclear family” image often associated with that decade.
This era also allows for the introduction of key legacy characters. The narrative follows the Hanlon family. This connects directly to Mike Hanlon from the films and the book.
The series will also feature Dick Hallorann. This character is famous for his role in “The Shining.” However, hardcore fans know he has deep ties to Derry.
- The Black Spot: The show will depict the events surrounding this infamous club.
- The Shine: Hallorann’s psychic abilities will play a crucial role in survival.
- The Connection: His presence explains the overlap between King’s various works.
Andy Muschietti noted that the burning of the Black Spot is a climaxing event in the series. It is not just a backstory reference. It is a major plot point that brings the characters together.
Working with the legendary author
Tackling a beloved property comes with immense pressure. The team knew they needed the blessing of the creator. Fortunately, Stephen King has been involved every step of the way.
Jason Fuchs described themselves as “fans first.” They approached the mythology with clear guardrails to respect the source material. They had the benefit of King looking at everything.
Stephen King reviewed every script and casting choice to ensure it fit his vision.
The author was generous with his support. He provided feedback where necessary but allowed the team creative freedom. Fuchs noted that when you get a note from Stephen King on his own book, you take it without question.
The team also took a moment to address their past work. The Muschiettis previously directed “The Flash.” That film faced a tidal wave of discourse and controversy. Andy Muschietti defended their work on that project.
He believes that sometimes a project faces a headwind unrelated to the movie itself. He mentioned that the publicity crisis surrounding the star created a difficult environment. Despite the noise, Barbara Muschietti affirmed that they gave that film their blood, sweat, and tears. They are bringing that same level of dedication to Derry.
The expansion of the “IT” universe is a bold move. By promising three seasons, the creators are asking for trust from the audience. They are looking to build a horror epic that stands alongside the novel rather than just adapting it.
Fans are eager to see if the origin of the clown lives up to the mystery. The wait to return to the sewers is almost over.
