Happy Halloween! No tricks, just treats this year, as HBO Max has shared a spooky surprise for It: Welcome to Derry fans by announcing that a prequel episode titled “A Story of Derry" is now streaming.
The 27-minute special takes place hundreds of years before the evil entity known as Pennywise began terrorizing children in his "Dancing Clown" form, and follows “three youngsters [as they] venture into the Western Wood … where they encounter a terrifying ancient spirit.”
Though unconfirmed, the protagonists are most likely part of the fictional Shokopiwath tribe, the indigenous people who ruled the land of Derry centuries before the events of the It movies, and performed a ritual to keep the monster they referred to as The Galloo at bay.
Along with some creepy creatures, "A Story of Derry" features the debut of the benevolent cosmic entity known as Maturin, the "Space Turtle" who also shows up in The Dark Tower saga.
It was recently confirmed that Welcome to Derry will return for a second season. This story takes place in 1935, 27 years before season 1, and will focus on one of the interludes in King's novel, the Bradley Gang Massacre. The season will be based around the mystery of a boy who disappears amid a Cold War military plot.
“We are excited to return to the chilling world of Derry and to further expand on Andy and Barbara Muschietti’s horrifically iconic adaptation,” HBO Max Original Programming Head Sarah Aubrey said in a statement when the show was renewed. “Together with Brad Caleb Kane, they will break new ground in season two, deepening the terror, the mystery, and the unforgettable Pennywise lore that fans love to devour.”
“Continuing to explore and expand on the amazing world Stephen King created is an absolute privilege,” the Muschiettis added. “The support of our partners at HBO and Warner Bros. Television is priceless. Boy do we love our jobs!”
It: Welcome to Derry is executive produced by Andy and Barbara Muschietti through their Double Dream production company. Other EPs include Brad Caleb Kane, Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Jamie Travis and Dhana Gilbert. Kane will serve as sole showrunner on Season 2.