HBO’s upcoming series Welcome to Derry expands the chilling universe of IT by stepping back into 1962, uncovering the sinister beginnings of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Developed for television by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and co-showrunner Jason Fuchs, the prequel drops viewers into a community swallowed by fear, leaving its residents questioning their grip on reality.

Leading the story is a new ensemble of young characters echoing the spirit of the Losers Club. Lilly (Clara Stack) emerges as the bravest of the group, wielding a specially crafted dagger in hopes of confronting the entity, while her friends—Will (Blake Cameron James), Rich (Arian S. Cartaya), Ronnie (Amanda Christine), and Marge (Matilda Lawler), struggle with their own anxieties. When newcomer Will Hanlon arrives in Derry with his parents, Air Force Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) and Charlotte (Taylour Paige), he quickly bonds with Rich, forming a circle bound together by encounters with terror.

In an interview with Collider, Blake Cameron James and Arian S. Cartaya admitted that Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise was just as frightening behind the scenes. James revealed that Pennywise has been his biggest fear since childhood, describing Skarsgård’s in-character behavior as “the scariest thing.” Cartaya recalled a moment in the sewers when Skarsgård lunged unexpectedly, prompting him to believe he “genuinely crapped [his] pants.” Skarsgård’s six-foot-five frame, combined with the full Pennywise makeup, created an overwhelming presence on set.

The show also dives into personal conflicts shaping its young heroes. Will Hanlon’s strained relationship with his father stems from Leroy’s attempts to mold him into a baseball player, despite Will’s passion for books and telescopes. James praised his on-screen parents, Adepo and Paige, for making emotional scenes easier to navigate. Cartaya shared that he deeply connects with Rich’s backstory as a Cuban immigrant bullied for not knowing English—finding belonging only upon joining the new Losers group.

Production tested the cast both physically and emotionally. James recalled shooting a sequence where Will repeatedly falls, requiring a protective pad due to the number of takes. One of the most challenging scenes placed Will underwater during a fishing trip with his father, where he confronts a terrifying, warped vision of Leroy. Filmed in cold rain, James described it as “very, very crazy,” but was proud of the final underwater shot.

Building believable chemistry was crucial for the ensemble. James and Cartaya said they intentionally spent extensive time together to form a real friendship, often holding sessions with their acting coach before emotional or high-energy scenes. This commitment strengthened the dynamic that drives the new team.

As the season unfolds, the young cast hints at escalating danger and deeper psychological shifts as Pennywise’s influence intensifies. Without revealing spoilers, they teased a pivotal turning point that dramatically affects the friend group, culminating in an ending that meaningfully ties the story together. Welcome to Derry airs on HBO and streams on HBO Max, promising a fresh descent into the horror of Stephen King’s iconic universe.