“How ‘It’ becomes Pennywise” – It: Welcome to Derry creators tease how the HBO series will delve into the deadly clown’s origins

It: Welcome to Derry is one of the most anticipated shows of the year, especially for horror fans. The HBO series marks a prequel to the hit films It and It Chapter Two and brings back the horrifying clown Pennywise, who hunts down children.

Series creators Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti have now revealed that the show is going to chronicle the origin of Pennywise, explaining how a trans-dimensional entity became a clown and started living in the sewers to target its victims.

It: Welcome to Derry is based on Stephen King’s lore, who first came up with the character of the clown. During San Diego Comic-Con 2025, series creators teased that they decided to make the TV show to tell a more nuanced version of the story. Andy Muschietti said:

“We always fantasized about doing the origin story, how ‘It’ becomes Pennywise, which is one of the big mysteries in the book…We loved [the idea of a] TV series because of the opportunities that gives you: a larger canvas to tell the story, more characters, more nuances, and more complicated arcs.”

It: Welcome to Derry creators tease how the show will solve a long-standing mystery

During the event, the creators also talked about how Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel, It, ends without revealing the origin of the clown. The show is going to finally solve this long-standing mystery. Andy Muschietti said:

“At the end of the book, nobody knows what the hell ‘It’ is. What does ‘It’ want? Who is Bob Gray [Pennywise’s real name]? How did it all happen? We are going to ruin this.”

The narrative of the series is set in the year 1962, and Andy hinted that the reason for it will be revealed to the audience when they watch the show. The first ten minutes of the premiere episodes were also showcased during the event, and as per the attendees, the series lives up to the expectations, as it features some spine-chilling moments.

Bill Skarsgård, who played Pennywise in the film series, reprises his role in the TV series. Other cast members include Chris Chalk, James Remar, Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, Alixandra Fuchs, Dean Yool, Tyner Rushing, Kimberly Norris Guerrero, Thomas Mitchell, and Dorian Grey.

In January 2025, Skarsgård talked about how his closeness with the Muschiettis made him reprise his role in It: Welcome to Derry and said:

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“The Pennywise thing as well, I’ve been quite defined by it. Like, that’s 26-year-old me, I’m not still a young man. Barbara and Andy, the Muschettis, are doing it and I love them. They’re very close friends. Family, even. I’m the godfather of his son. I love them," he said. "So, alright, let’s bring him back.”

It: Welcome to Derry is going to premiere on HBO in October 2025.

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