IT: Welcome to Derry – Premiere, Episodes, Where to Watch
Few horrors linger the way Pennywise does, but Stephen King’s universe is expanding with a prequel that digs into Derry’s darkest years: IT: Welcome to Derry premiered October 27, 2025 on HBO and Sky Atlantic, bringing the 1962 fire at the Black Spot to the screen. Here’s everything you need to know about the series, from episode releases to where to watch it in the UK and Ireland.
Premiere date: October 27, 2025 · IMDb rating: 9.3/10 · Episodes in season 1: 8 (as of December 14, 2025) · Network: HBO / Sky Atlantic
Quick snapshot
- Premieres October 27, 2025 on HBO and Sky Atlantic (Esquire (entertainment media))
- 8 episodes in season 1 (Esquire)
- Streaming via Sky Atlantic, NOW, and HBO Max (JustWatch (streaming aggregation))
- IMDb rating 9.3/10 (as of December 2025) – subject to change (Esquire (entertainment media))
- Whether season 2 will be ordered (Esquire)
- Whether Pennywise appears beyond season 1 (Esquire)
- Final episode titles for episodes 4–8 (currently TBA) (Esquire)
- IMDb rating stability – may change after full season viewership (Esquire)
- October 26/27, 2025 – Series premiere (Esquire)
- December 14, 2025 – Season finale (episode 8) (Esquire)
- Season 2 announcement – TBD (Esquire)
- Episode 8 airs December 14, 2025 – the season finale (Esquire)
- No official word on season 2 renewal from HBO (Esquire)
- Expect a decision in early 2026 based on viewership (Esquire)
The five key facts below cover the essentials: premiere date, network, ratings, episode count, and genre. One pattern stands out: a tightly-planned single season with high early audience scores.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Premiere date | October 27, 2025 |
| Network | HBO / Sky Atlantic |
| IMDb rating | 9.3/10 |
| Episodes (season 1) | 8 |
| Genre | Supernatural horror |
Is Welcome to Derry actually coming out?
IT: Welcome to Derry is here. The series premiered on October 27, 2025 on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK (Esquire (entertainment media)). The official trailer, published by HBO Max on September 23, 2025, confirmed the launch date and described it as a “prequel to the blockbuster It films” (HBO Max YouTube (official channel)).
When is the IT: Welcome to Derry release date?
US viewers can watch the premiere on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on HBO (Esquire). In the UK, the series lands on Sky Atlantic on October 27. The series is a direct prequel to the 2017 film It and its 2019 sequel It Chapter Two.
The implication: viewers who miss the finale on December 14 lose the chance to see the complete season unless a later release expands access.
Is Welcome to Derry season 2 confirmed?
As of December 2025, HBO has not made an official announcement about a second season. While the show’s strong IMDb rating and positive critical reception suggest renewal is likely, nothing is locked in. Industry speculation places a decision in early 2026 after the season finale’s full ratings are in.
Will Pennywise be in Welcome to Derry season 2?
Because season 2 hasn’t been greenlit, any discussion of Pennywise’s role is speculative. The first season is set in 1962 and focuses on the Black Spot fire, but Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) does appear, according to the official trailer. Whether the character extends into a potential second season depends on the story arc the showrunners have planned.
Viewers eager for more Derry are left waiting. Without a renewal, the series ends with season 1’s finale. For fans invested in the lore, the lack of confirmation creates a cliffhanger beyond the episode itself.
The catch: HBO hasn’t committed to a second season, so viewers must prepare for a possible one-season arc.
Where can I watch Welcome to Derry UK?
UK audiences can stream IT: Welcome to Derry through Sky Atlantic, which is available via Sky TV, NOW (formerly Now TV), and Sky.com with a subscription (JustWatch (streaming aggregation platform)). The show is also available on the HBO Max Amazon Channel in the UK. There is currently no free tier; all options require a paid subscription.
Where can I watch Welcome to Derry in Ireland?
Irish viewers can access the series through the same Sky Atlantic and NOW platforms. No dedicated Ireland-specific streaming service has been announced beyond these Sky-linked options.
Is Welcome to Derry on Prime TV?
No. As of December 2025, Welcome to Derry is not available on Amazon Prime Video’s standard subscription. It can be purchased or rented via Amazon Video as an individual title, but not streamed as part of the Prime library (JustWatch).
For UK and Irish fans, the viewing path is narrow: Sky or NOW. No other streaming platform offers the series in its first window. That means a subscription decision now, or waiting for a potential later release on other services.
The pattern: Sky Atlantic remains the exclusive first-run home, limiting access to paid subscribers.
Is IT: Welcome to Derry episode 8 out?
Episode 8, the season finale, airs on December 14, 2025 (Esquire). The episode marks the end of season 1 and will wrap up the Black Spot story arc.
How many episodes does IT: Welcome to Derry have?
Season 1 consists of exactly 8 episodes. Esquire’s episode guide lists the first three titles: “The Pilot” (October 26), “The Thing in the Dark” (November 2), and “Now You See It” (November 9). Episodes 4 through 8 remain untitled (TBA) as of the publication of the guide (Esquire).
What happens in IT: Welcome to Derry episode 1?
Episode 1, titled “The Pilot”, introduces the 1962 fire at the Black Spot nightclub—a real historical event that King incorporated into the novel. The episode focuses on the aftermath of the fire and the introduction of Dick Hallorann, the character who later appears in The Shining. The attack is linked to Pennywise’s early influence in Derry.
The episode schedule is as follows:
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Pilot | October 26/27, 2025 |
| 2 | The Thing in the Dark | November 2/3, 2025 |
| 3 | Now You See It | November 9/10, 2025 |
| 4–8 | TBA | November 16–December 14, 2025 |
The implication: viewers who subscribe can plan their viewing around a fixed weekly release, with no surprises.
How scary is Welcome to Derry?
Early reviews describe the series as “gory, mystery-packed horror”, according to The Guardian’s October 2025 review (The Guardian (established editorial publication)). The show carries a TV-MA rating for strong violence, gore, and disturbing imagery. It is not recommended for younger viewers or those sensitive to horror elements.
What is the IMDb rating for IT: Welcome to Derry?
As of December 2025, the series holds an exceptionally high IMDb rating of 9.3/10, based on early audience votes. This places it among the highest-rated horror TV series on the platform. However, the rating may shift as more viewers watch the full season.
Who is in the cast of IT: Welcome to Derry?
The series stars Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Other confirmed cast members include Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo in lead roles, though full character details are still emerging (HBO Max YouTube (official trailer)). The production is led by showrunners Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, who directed the It films.
Timeline signal
- 2025-09-23 – Official trailer released by HBO Max (HBO Max YouTube)
- 2025-10-26/27 – Series premiere on HBO and Sky Atlantic (Esquire)
- 2025-12-14 – Season 1 finale (episode 8) (Esquire)
- TBD – Possible season 2 announcement
The weekly release schedule gives viewers a clear deadline: the finale airs December 14, and no unexpected breaks have occurred. Subscribers can rely on a fixed countdown to the season’s end.
Confirmed facts
- Premiere date: October 27, 2025 (Esquire)
- 8 episodes in season 1 (Esquire)
- Streaming on Sky Atlantic and NOW in UK (JustWatch)
- IMDb rating 9.3/10 – subject to change
What’s unclear
- Whether season 2 will be ordered by HBO
- Whether Pennywise appears in future seasons
- Total episode count beyond season 1
- Exact titles for episodes 4–8
- Stability of the IMDb rating after full season viewership
“Gory, mystery-packed horror.”
– The Guardian, October 2025 (The Guardian (established editorial publication))
“A prequel to the blockbuster It films, coming this October to HBO Max.”
– HBO Max trailer description (HBO Max YouTube (official channel))
The series has landed with strong critical and audience reception, but its future hinges on the finale’s full viewership data. For Sky Atlantic subscribers in the UK, the window to catch every episode before the finale closes on December 14. For US audiences, HBO Max is the only streaming home. The trade-off is clear: subscribe now, or risk missing the first—and possibly only—season of a prequel that deepens King’s mythos.
For those wondering when the new episodes land, our guide to the IT prequel offers a full breakdown of the premiere schedule and streaming platforms.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the showrunner of IT: Welcome to Derry?
The series is developed by Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, who directed and produced the It film adaptations.
Is the series directly connected to the It movies?
Yes. Welcome to Derry is a direct prequel set in 1962, featuring younger versions of characters and events referenced in the 2017 film.
What age rating does Welcome to Derry have?
The series is rated TV-MA for gore, violence, and disturbing thematic content.
How can I watch Welcome to Derry in the US?
US viewers can watch on HBO and stream on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.
Will there be more than one season?
HBO has not confirmed a second season. A decision is expected in early 2026.
Is Welcome to Derry based on the novel or the films?
It expands on the novel’s backstory (specifically the Black Spot fire) while maintaining continuity with the film series.
What is the episode runtime?
Each episode runs approximately 50–60 minutes, matching standard HBO drama length.
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