6 Reasons to Anticipate "IT: Welcome to Derry" — The Prequel That's Scarier Than the Original

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Warner Bros. and HBO have finally unveiled a new teaser for the series "It: Welcome to Derry". This is a prequel to the "It" duology, where Pennywise returns, but now we'll learn about his origins.

The premiere hits October 2025. But here's why this series is worth the wait.

Bill Skarsgård Returns as Pennywise

The show's biggest draw? Bill Skarsgård is back. That menacing grin, unhinged stare, raspy voice, and knack for showing up in the most unexpected places — it's all returning to our screens. The teaser only gives us his dark silhouette and that bone-chilling laugh, but honestly? That's enough to send shivers down your spine.

We'll See Derry Before the "Losers Club"

Set in 1962, the story unfolds 27 years before the original films. Viewers will watch the town slowly descend into terror as children start disappearing.
A red balloon floating over the water's surface, the silhouette of actor Bill Skarsgård as the clown
Frames from the "IT: Welcome to Derry" series teaser
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No familiar heroes this time, but there's a new group of teenagers who'll try to figure out what's happening and who's behind all the disappearances.

Fear Gets an Upgrade

Pennywise is back to playing with his victims' deepest fears. The teaser shows fingers in a pickle jar, a tree coming to life in human form, a child with a twisted expression. It builds dread through atmosphere rather than jump scares. Scary? That's putting it mildly.

This Is Evil's Origin Story

The main mystery? Pennywise's past. How did he end up in Derry? The show promises to reveal the main antagonist's origins without turning the monster into a "victim of circumstances," instead adding layers of even more ancient and inevitable horror.

The Duology's Creators Are Back

Barbara and Andy Muschietti are producing the show, with Andy (creator of the original films) directing several episodes. This means the tone stays consistent: stylish visuals, dark atmosphere, attention to detail, and careful but precise universe expansion.

Nine Episodes, Three Seasons — Each Chapter Has Its Own World

The season consists of 9 episodes, releasing weekly. Muschietti previously shared with Radio TU that the series is conceived as a trilogy — each season with its own unique setting. "Welcome to Derry" will be the first part of this terrifying chronicle of evil.

What Did the New Teaser Show?

A family moves into a quiet house in the town of Derry, but it quickly becomes clear — something's very wrong in this place. Teenagers beat up a classmate, missing children posters line the streets.
"IT: Welcome to Derry" series teaser
A group of students decides to investigate and heads to the library, where they find disturbing newspaper clippings. A girl remembers how one of the missing boys talked about strange visions.

Then Pennywise's red balloon appears on screen, followed by his silhouette and that sinister laugh. What comes next — rapid-fire shots of the clown terrorizing his victims: fingers in a jar, a living tree, distorted faces.

Even without Pennywise's full appearance, the trailer creates an unsettling feeling and genuine fear. Everything suggests this story will be much bigger than the duology and, in my opinion, much scarier. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com covered the first teaser for "IT: Welcome to Derry".