The horror universe of Stephen King expands once again with HBO’s latest prequel series, IT: Welcome to Derry, which premiered on October 26, 2025. Fans of the franchise are eagerly asking: When is Episode 2 coming out? Here’s a detailed guide on the full IT: Welcome to Derry release schedule, including episode air dates, streaming details, and what you can expect from this chilling prequel.
What Is IT: Welcome to Derry?
IT: Welcome to Derry is a prequel series to the hit films It (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019), exploring the dark and twisted origins of the sinister entity known as Pennywise. The series dives deeper into the lore of Derry, Maine, a town plagued by recurring terror every 27 years. Bill Skarsgård reprises his iconic role as Pennywise, promising the same terrifying presence that made audiences scream in the movies.
According to Skarsgård, the new series explores “sides of old Pennywise” that audiences haven’t seen before, describing this installment as “hardcore” in its horror elements. Fans of Stephen King’s universe can expect a story that not only terrifies but also reveals more about the mysterious creature lurking in Derry.
When Did IT: Welcome to Derry Premiere?
IT: Welcome to Derry premiered on HBO on October 26, 2025. The series kicks off before the events of the 2017 and 2019 film adaptations, taking viewers back to 1962. While Stephen King’s original book was set in the 1950s, the films moved the timeline to the 1980s. This prequel explores the town of Derry during one of the entity’s earlier appearances, providing fans with fresh backstory and chilling encounters.
Directors Andy and Barbara Muschietti explained that the series retains themes of friendship, loss, and the power of belief, while also emphasizing the use of fear as a weapon—a concept highly relevant to contemporary audiences.
How Many Episodes Are in IT: Welcome to Derry?
The first season of IT: Welcome to Derry consists of eight episodes, each diving into different aspects of Derry’s horrifying past and Pennywise’s sinister influence. If the series continues successfully, future seasons are expected to explore the town’s terrifying history across the 27-year cycles in which the entity emerges.
Co-creator Jason Fuchs explained, “Derry is a more recent innovation, and so is there a Derry without It? This season gives hints about that mystery while offering a deeper understanding of the creature, the rules of the town, and what motivates It.”
IT: Welcome to Derry Episode Release Schedule
Fans don’t have to wait long for new episodes. While the series premiered with Episode 1, “The Pilot,” on October 26, the second episode, “The Thing in the Dark,” debuts early on October 31, 2025, in honor of Halloween. Following this, episodes will air weekly on Sundays, leading up to the season finale on December 14.
Full Episode Schedule:
- Oct. 26: Episode 1 – The Pilot
- Oct. 31: Episode 2 – The Thing in the Dark
- Nov. 9: Episode 3 – Now You See It
- Nov. 16: Episode 4
- Nov. 23: Episode 5
- Nov. 30: Episode 6
- Dec. 7: Episode 7
- Dec. 14: Episode 8
What Time Do New Episodes Air?
New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry air every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on HBO and are simultaneously available to stream on HBO Max.
Where Can You Watch IT: Welcome to Derry?
The series is exclusively available on HBO and HBO Max. Subscribers can stream episodes on-demand, making it easy to catch up if you miss a weekly installment.
Whether you’re a longtime Stephen King fan or a newcomer to the franchise, IT: Welcome to Derry promises a thrilling prequel experience full of suspense, horror, and shocking revelations about Derry and Pennywise.
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