The highly anticipated HBO series, IT: Welcome to Derry, serves as a chilling prequel to the successful films IT and IT Chapter Two, delving into the sinister origins of the entity known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Developed for television by filmmakers Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, alongside co-showrunner Jason Fuchs, the series transports viewers to 1962 Derry, where a cycle of fear and terror infects everyone, forcing them to question reality.

At the heart of the new narrative is a fresh group of young protagonists, reminiscent of the iconic Losers Club. Lilly (Clara Stack) bravely seeks to confront the entity using a specially formed dagger, while her companions – Will (Blake Cameron James), Rich (Arian S. Cartaya), Ronnie (Amanda Christine), and Marge (Matilda Lawler) – are more hesitant. As new kid Will Hanlon arrives in Derry with his Air Force Major father Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) and mother Charlotte (Taylour Paige) under military orders, he quickly befriends Rich, and their circle expands to include Lilly, Ronnie, and Marge, united by their shared terrifying experiences with Pennywise.

Co-stars Blake Cameron James and Arian S. Cartaya, who portray Will and Rich, respectively, candidly shared their experiences with Collider, particularly highlighting the genuine terror inspired by Bill Skarsgård's embodiment of Pennywise. Both actors confessed to being genuinely scared by Skarsgård's performance, with James stating that Pennywise has been his biggest fear and Skarsgård "just being himself" in character was the scariest thing. Cartaya recounted a specific moment in the sewers where Skarsgård lunged, leading him to believe he "genuinely crapped [his] pants." The sheer physical presence of Skarsgård, standing at six feet five inches in full makeup, proved to be a truly horrifying sight for the young actors.

The series explores the intricate personal lives of its young characters. Will Hanlon's relationship with his military father, Leroy, is notably rocky. Will feels a disconnect, believing his father doesn't truly know him and wants him to conform to an image he doesn't fit – a baseball player, when Will's true interests lie in books and telescopes. Blake Cameron James praised his on-screen parents, Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige, for making the experience much easier and serving as mentors. Cartaya, in turn, deeply identifies with Rich's backstory, a loving kid who struggled to fit in after moving from Cuba and being bullied for not knowing English. Rich finds a sense of belonging and acceptance within the new Losers Club.

Filming proved to be a challenging yet rewarding experience. James recalled shooting a scene where Will falls, requiring numerous takes and the use of a butt pad due to the repeated impacts. A particularly memorable and demanding scene involved Will fishing with his father, where he is pulled underwater and confronts a terrifying, altered vision of Leroy. James described the experience as "very, very crazy" due to the cold and rain, but expressed satisfaction with the final, visually striking shot of him screaming underwater, enhanced by CGI effects.

The chemistry among the young cast members was a crucial element in bringing the Losers Club to life. Cartaya and James revealed that they actively built their bond by spending as much time together as possible, even holding meetings with their acting coach, Mr. Ben, before emotional or fun scenes. This dedication to fostering a strong connection significantly enhanced their on-screen dynamic.

As the season progresses, the interactions with the entity intensify, promising an escalating level of fear. Without revealing spoilers, the actors hinted at a significant shift in the atmosphere within the friend group following further encounters with Pennywise. Both actors agreed that the season's ending logically ties the entire story together, offering a meaningful conclusion to the unfolding narrative. IT: Welcome to Derry airs on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.