At a Glance
- Welcome to Derry has not been officially renewed for season 2, despite hints in a Hollywood Reporter article
- Director Andy Muschietti envisions a three-season arc covering 1935 and 1908 timelines
- Season one is available on HBO and will be released on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD May 5
- Why it matters: Fans are left waiting for confirmation while the creative team already mapped out the full story
HBO has yet to confirm a second season of Welcome to Derry, even though a recent report suggests the horror prequel is moving forward behind the scenes. The silence follows a breakout debut that made the It spin-off one of the network’s most-watched new genre shows.
The Renewal Mystery
A single line in the Hollywood Reporter sparked hope among viewers. The outlet noted that director Andy Muschietti “finds himself a hot commodity thanks to the muscular success of Welcome to Derry, HBO’s It series. A second season is now in the works, even if it has not been officially renewed.”
News Of Austin contacted HBO for clarification and received no additional statement. The network declined to offer any update on the show’s future, leaving fans to parse interviews and home-video announcements for clues.
Planned Timeline for Three Seasons
Muschietti, who created the series with Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs, outlined a three-season structure before cameras rolled on season one:
- Season one – set in 1962, already streaming
- Season two – would jump back to 1935
- Season three – would land in 1908
Each 27-year gap aligns with the cosmic feeding cycle of Pennywise, the shape-shifting entity that haunts the town of Derry, Maine. Season one examined how Bob Gray, the human clown who becomes Pennywise’s preferred form, loses his identity to the monster. Flashbacks to 1908 and 1935 framed the tragedy of Bob’s daughter Ingrid, whose grief warps into decades of dark bargains.
What Future Seasons Could Explore
Although Ingrid’s arc concluded in the 1962 timeline, earlier decades tease fresh material:
- 1935 gangsters briefly appeared in season one, leaving room for expansion
- The 1906 Kitchener Ironworks explosion, referenced in Stephen King’s novel and the show’s opening credits, never surfaced in the narrative
- Native American rituals that explain Pennywise’s arrival on Earth could receive deeper focus
- The U.S. military’s secret interest in Derry remains largely unexplored
Working backward poses creative challenges. Season one introduced new lore about Pennywise’s origin that must remain consistent in pre-prequel seasons. Recasting would also be inevitable, since most 1962 characters would not be alive in 1935 or 1908. Only Bill Skarsgård, who plays Bob Gray/Pennywise, and Madeleine Stowe, who plays Ingrid, seem likely to return.
Home Video Release
Physical media collectors can own the complete first season on May 5. The 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD set includes:
- Three extended behind-the-episode featurettes
- A new featurette on 1962 Derry covering Jim Crow, the Red Scare, and government encroachment on Indigenous land
Cast and Where to Watch
All eight episodes remain available on HBO and Max. The ensemble features:
- Jovan Adepo
- Taylour Paige
- Chris Chalk
- James Remar
- Stephen Rider
- Blake Cameron James
- Arian S. Cartaya
- Amanda Christine
- Matilda Lawler
- Clara Stack
- Madeleine Stowe
- Rudy Mancuso
- Bill Skarsgård
Aiden V. Crossfield originally covered the development for News Of Austin.
