IT: Welcome to Derry (2025) – Story, Cast, and Episode 3 Release Date Update
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| IT: Welcome to Derry (AI Image) |
Stephen King’s terrifying universe is back to haunt viewers again — this time in the form of IT: Welcome to Derry (2025), a chilling prequel series expanding on the origins of Pennywise the Clown. Produced by Andy and Barbara Muschietti (the duo behind the blockbuster IT films), this HBO series dives deep into the twisted roots of fear, trauma, and small-town secrets that define Derry, Maine.
The show premiered in October 2025 and has already captured the attention of horror fans worldwide with its spine-chilling atmosphere and emotional depth. Now, as Episode 3 approaches, here’s everything you need to know — from the release date and streaming platform to the cast, story, and latest updates.
🩸 IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 3 Release Date and Time
The third episode of IT: Welcome to Derry releases on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET/PT on HBO, and will be available for streaming on HBO Max (soon to be Max) shortly after.
🌍 Global Release Timings (November 10, 2025):
- Brazil (BRT): 1:00 AM
- UK (BST): 4:00 AM
- Europe (CEST): 5:00 AM
- India (IST): 9:30 AM
- Japan (JST): 1:00 PM
- Australia (AET): 3:00 PM
- New Zealand (NZDT): 5:00 PM
Episodes are released weekly, every Sunday, keeping fans hooked with new secrets about Pennywise’s rise and the dark legacy of Derry.
🎥 Episode Schedule for IT: Welcome to Derry (Season 1)
| Episode | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | October 26, 2025 |
| Episode 2 | November 2, 2025 |
| Episode 3 | November 9, 2025 |
| Episode 4 | November 16, 2025 |
| Episode 5 | November 23, 2025 |
| Episode 6 | November 30, 2025 |
| Episode 7 | December 7, 2025 |
| Episode 8 (Finale) | December 14, 2025 |
Each episode runs approximately one hour, though the exact runtime for Episode 3 has not been officially announced.
🎬 Story Summary – Where It All Began
IT: Welcome to Derry unfolds decades before the events of the IT films, tracing how the evil that would become Pennywise the Dancing Clown first emerged.
Set in the 1960s, the story follows a group of townsfolk who begin to experience strange occurrences — whispers in the sewers, missing children, and an unexplainable darkness consuming their lives. As the town’s history unravels, hidden secrets about Derry’s cursed past are revealed, showing how fear itself feeds the monstrous presence beneath the streets.
The series captures the eerie small-town Americana that Stephen King is famous for — combining psychological tension with haunting supernatural imagery.
🌟 Cast and Crew
The show features a mix of returning creative forces and new talent bringing fresh life to the IT universe.
Main Cast:
- Bill Skarsgård (rumored) as Pennywise the Clown
- Chris Chalk as Henry Burke
- Jovan Adepo as Mike Hanlon’s ancestor
- Madeleine Stowe as Margaret Derry
- Stephen Rider as Reverend Holt
Key Crew:
- Director: Andy Muschietti
- Writer: Jason Fuchs
- Producers: Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs
- Cinematography: Tetsuo Nagata
- Music: Benjamin Wallfisch
The Muschiettis, who directed IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019), return to expand the mythology, ensuring continuity in tone and storytelling quality.
💀 Why IT: Welcome to Derry Matters
Beyond being a horror prequel, this show digs deep into the psychology of fear — exploring how trauma, guilt, and memory intertwine in Derry’s cursed soil.
Fans will notice visual and thematic callbacks to IT (2017), yet Welcome to Derry stands out for its slower, atmospheric storytelling. Instead of focusing only on jump scares, it delves into why Pennywise returns every 27 years, and what keeps the cycle of terror alive.
It’s not just a story about a killer clown — it’s about how communities bury their sins, allowing evil to fester beneath.
📺 OTT Streaming Details
IT: Welcome to Derry streams exclusively on HBO Max in the United States.
For international viewers, the series is expected to stream via regional HBO partners or platforms like Binge (Australia) and Crave (Canada) shortly after airing.
Each episode becomes available for streaming immediately after its U.S. broadcast. Subtitles and dubbed versions will be gradually added for major regions.
🎞️ Trailer and Promotion
HBO’s teaser trailer for IT: Welcome to Derry set the tone perfectly — showcasing dimly lit streets, red balloons drifting across storm drains, and a haunting child’s laughter echoing through empty alleys.
The trailer quickly went viral, amassing millions of views within hours, with fans praising its vintage horror aesthetic reminiscent of Stranger Things and The Outsider.
🎵 Music and Soundtrack
Though there are no official songs released yet, composer Benjamin Wallfisch returns with his signature eerie score, blending orchestral dread with ambient soundscapes. The music plays a key role in maintaining the tension, echoing the psychological horror that made the original films iconic.
⚡ Controversy and Buzz
Some online discussions have emerged about whether Bill Skarsgård would reprise his role as Pennywise. While HBO has remained tight-lipped, industry insiders suggest he may appear in a limited capacity — possibly through flashbacks or as a new manifestation of evil.
The show also sparked debate for its darker themes involving child trauma, though many critics argue it handles these sensitively, in line with Stephen King’s storytelling tradition.
📈 Why You Should Watch It
If you loved IT or IT Chapter Two, this series is unmissable.
It expands the lore, introduces compelling new characters, and answers lingering questions — all while maintaining the claustrophobic dread that defines Derry.
Each episode promises new revelations, making it one of HBO’s most anticipated horror releases of 2025.
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