Welcome to Derry” unleashes 8 terrifying new episodes

The residents of Derry, Maine face fresh horrors as HBO and HBO Max continue rolling out episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry, the chilling prequel series that has captivated audiences since its late October premiere. Based on Stephen King’s iconic novel and serving as a companion to the 2017 and 2019 film adaptations, the show has quickly established itself as must-watch television for horror enthusiasts.

Impressive viewership validates series concept

The premiere episode attracted 5.7 million viewers during its first three days of availability, according to reports from Variety and Deadline. These strong numbers demonstrate that audiences remain hungry for content set in King’s terrifying fictional universe, even after the recent film adaptations concluded their theatrical runs.

USA TODAY television critic Kelly Lawler praised the series for avoiding the pitfalls that often plague franchise extensions, describing it as an untapped spring of terror and blood that remains true to the soul of King’s work while incorporating Easter eggs, new twists and familiar faces. The positive critical reception combined with solid viewership suggests HBO has successfully expanded the IT universe without diminishing what made the original story resonate with fans.

1. Weekly episode releases continue through December

The first season comprises eight total episodes that HBO is releasing on a weekly schedule rather than all at once. New installments arrive every Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on both the traditional HBO cable channel and the HBO Max streaming platform. This staggered release strategy allows audiences to digest each episode’s horrifying events while building anticipation for subsequent chapters.

2. Episode one premiered October 26

The series launched with its pilot episode titled The Pilot on October 26, introducing viewers to the show’s timeframe and establishing the atmosphere of dread that permeates life in Derry. The premiere set the stage for the terror that unfolds across subsequent episodes.

3. Episode two arrived October 31

Perfectly timed for Halloween, the second installment titled The Thing in the Dark dropped on October 31, allowing fans to celebrate the spooky holiday with fresh content from the IT universe. The Halloween release date represented smart counterprogramming during a weekend when horror content consumption typically spikes.

4. Episode three streams November 9

The third episode becomes available November 9, continuing the weekly release pattern that extends through the remainder of the fall season. Viewers can tune in Sunday evening to discover what fresh nightmares await the characters.

5. Episode four debuts November 16

November 16 marks the arrival of episode four, pushing the season past its midpoint and presumably escalating the stakes for characters attempting to survive whatever malevolent forces plague their town.

6. Episode five arrives November 23

Episode five releases on November 23, landing during Thanksgiving weekend when many viewers may have additional leisure time to catch up on the series. The holiday timing could provide a viewership boost as families gather and seek entertainment options.

7. Episode six streams November 30

The penultimate episodes begin November 30 with the sixth installment, setting up the final confrontations and revelations that will presumably dominate the season’s closing chapters.

8. Episode seven debuts December 7

December 7 brings episode seven, the final setup before the season finale that should answer lingering questions while potentially establishing hooks for future seasons if HBO greenlights additional episodes.

Ensemble cast brings story to life

The series features an impressive ensemble including Chris Chalk, Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, James Remar and Madeleine Stowe among the principal cast members. Bill Skarsgård returns to the franchise, having portrayed Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the recent film adaptations. Additional cast members include Stephen Rider, Rudy Mancuso, Blake Cameron James, Amanda Christine, Matilda Lawler, Arian S. Cartaya and Clara Stack.

The combination of familiar faces from previous IT projects with fresh talent helps the series feel connected to its cinematic predecessors while establishing its own identity separate from those films.

Season finale closes out 2025

The eighth and final episode of the debut season arrives December 14, capping off nearly two months of weekly terror for subscribers. The finale will determine whether HBO successfully stuck the landing on this ambitious expansion of King’s universe and whether audiences demand additional seasons exploring other dark corners of Derry‘s history.

Source: USA TODAY