HBO's It: Welcome to Derry Prequel Explores 1960s Origins With Delayed Pennywise Return

The HBO series "It: Welcome to Derry" serves as a prequel set in 1962, exploring the origins of Stephen King's infamous town and its dark history beyond just Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Chris Chalk portrays a young Dick Hallorann, a psychically gifted airman, bringing his own interpretation to the character distinct from previous portrayals. The show takes a slow-burn approach to Pennywise's appearance, delaying the clown's full return in order to maintain his unpredictability and terror, as emphasized by creators Andy and Barbara Muschietti. Additionally, the series expands the mythology by incorporating elements from King's broader universe, such as the supernatural entity Maturin from The Dark Tower series, promising a deeper exploration of the origins of It across multiple seasons. "It: Welcome to Derry" also highlights Indigenous perspectives, showing their early encounters and struggles against It, adding new narrative layers not present in the original novels or films. This multifaceted approach aims to enrich the storyworld and invest viewers in the characters leading up to the events of the original It story.