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Everything We Learned About HBO Max’s ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ at NYCC 2025
Do you know what time it is? It’s time to float, baby—because Stephen King’s It is returning to our screens! Developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the latter of whom also serves as co-showrunner alongside Brad Caleb Kane, It: Welcome to Derry is a prequel series to 2017’s It and 2019’s It Chapter Two and is set in 1962, 27 years before the events of the first film. Pennywise (played once again by Bill Skarsgård) is back for another child-eating cycle, so you’d better stay out of the sewers, even if you see a shiny red balloon down there.
Ahead of the series’ HBO and HBO Max premiere on October 26, the cast and creatives behind It: Welcome to Derry took to the Empire Stage at New York Comic Con to tease the horrors in store. If you couldn’t make it, never fear (well, maybe fear a little—you taste so much better when you’re afraid) because we’ve rounded up the highlights right here.
It: Welcome to Derry Is Based on Mike Hanlon’s Interludes from Stephen King’s Original Novel
If you’re a Constant Reader of Stephen King, you might remember that the 1986 novel It includes a series of five first-person “interludes” documented by Mike Hanlon (played in the films by Chosen Jacobs and Isaiah Mustafa), Derry’s town librarian and unofficial historian. These serve to flesh out the sinister world of Derry, which is a character in and of itself, and to help the reader appreciate just how far back Pennywise’s dark influence over the town goes. As Andy Muschietti put it during the panel, the interludes are “a puzzle that was intentionally unfinished in the book,” one that sparked an idea in the minds of the series’ creators.
“For me,” he says, “those interludes were kind of a blueprint for a different story, a hidden story, a story that is not told forward but a story that is told backward and has, as a final conclusion, the events in which It became Pennywise.” Why is the story being told backward? You’ll have to see the show to find out.
Photo taken by Samantha McLaren.
The Story Centers on Mike Hanlon’s Grandfather and His Family
We caught a glimpse of Leroy Hanlon, Mike Hanlon’s grandfather, in 2017’s It, where he was teaching the young boy how to use a bolt pistol to kill sheep. In It: Welcome to Derry, we’ll meet a young Leroy, played by Jovan Adepo, just as he’s moving to Derry with his wife, Charlotte (Taylour Paige), and their son—right in time for a kid to disappear in town.
Leroy is a “flyboy” in the U.S. Air Force, which was especially meaningful to Adepo, whose own father was a military man. “Getting a chance to play, in some form, a version of who I thought my father was as a child was really exciting for me,” he says.
Adepo notes that Leroy is in search of a better life for his family, which he’s probably not going to find in the clown murder capital of America, and teases that the man has a “very unique relationship with fear.” As for his wife, Paige says that Charlotte “has a sacral sense that something is just not right in Derry.
“It’s frightening to think that you’re losing your mind,” she says. “It’s frightening to feel hysterical, and everyone around you being like ‘oh, we’re good.’”
The 1960s Setting Creates New Opportunities for Anxiety and Fear
Stephen King’s It is split between the late 1950s (for the child portion) and the mid-1980s (for the adult portion). The film adaptations shifted these time periods up to 1989 and 2016, respectively. Since Pennywise’s murderous cycle occurs every 27 years, this means the prequel series is set in 1962, which allowed the creative team to tap into some of the themes and ideas present in King’s 50s setting.
“What we couldn’t do in the movie in terms of era… we’re doing now,” Andy Muschietti explains. “It’s closer in spirit and also in textures and feel to what the book was.”
“I love doing complex, interconnected, very character-rich shows,” says co-showrunner Brad Caleb Kane. “Setting it in 1962… that was very interesting to me, particularly when you’re dealing with a monster, an interdimensional creature, who uses fear and hatred to divide, and you’re talking about 1962 in America. Well, that’s a very rich and specific area to mine.”
This period of intense social anxiety and political instability in America would be nothing short of a buffet for Pennywise, for whom fear is flavoring. As King writes, “adults had their own terrors, and their glands could be tapped, opened so that all the chemicals of fear flooded the body and salted the meat.” In that case, our favorite Dancing Clown might want to monitor Its sodium levels.
“Derry is a microcosm for America,” Kane adds.
Indigenous Characters Will Play a Major Role in It: Welcome to Derry
It Chapter Two caught some heat in 2019 for its inauthentic inclusion of Native American spiritualism as a plot device. It: Welcome to Derry seems to be making strides to correct that mistake through the character of Rose, played in the series by Kimberly Guerrero. (That’s the same Rose, by the way, who owns Second Hand Rose, the pawn shop glimpsed in It Chapter Two and staffed by King himself in a cameo appearance.)
“The Stephen King universe is a family, but it’s a family that we’ve been left out of,” Guerrero says. “The native story has been there, but we were never able to join you all at the table. We have stories, too—and boy, what a story!”
Guerrero notes that the story of Derry, where something evil lurks in the sewers just out of sight, is one that will feel familiar to Indigenous audiences, saying, “I have never been to a reservation or a Native American community that did not have a place where you do not go. You do not go because you do not know.” But Rose does know, and she’s doing her darndest to protect against It. Her greatest fear is something happening on her watch.
“It was such a gift to get to play this Indigenous character that has had all this ancestral knowledge that’s been passed down from generation to generation to generation,” Guerrero enthuses. “Rose knows—my community in this story knows—everything that happened before Derry was Derry. There was a first Loser’s Club, and that Loser’s Club was a group of Indigenous kids.”
Photo taken by Samantha McLaren.
James Remar Was Thinking about Retirement before Getting the Call
Rose’s story in It: Welcome to Derry is closely connected to that of General Francis Shaw, played by James Remar. The actor, who recently reprised the role of Harry Morgan in Dexter: Resurrection, says he was considering retirement when the opportunity to join the Stephen King universe fell into his lap.
“I was in the parking lot of a Pavilions grocery store and I was thinking to myself, well, it doesn’t really matter if I don’t work anymore,” Remar recalls. “I got into the car and I got a phone call from my agent, and they said ‘Andy and Barbara Muschietti want to meet you for this undisclosed project, and they’re only meeting one actor.”
“I admired this man since I was a child,” Andy Muschietti explains. “When he said yes, I couldn’t believe it.”
Remar, who brought his own experiences growing up in the 1960s to the table, says his character was saved from Pennywise by Rose when they were kids. They fell in love and had a whirlwind romance as only 9-year-olds who have been terrorized by an ancient evil entity can, though Shaw’s psyche was “shattered” by his encounter with It. Now in charge of strategic air command for the northeastern United States, General Shaw returns to Derry on assignment and reunites with his old flame just as the cycle begins again.
“I feel that my character is drawn back to Derry,” Remar says. “It’s out of my control… I’ve forgotten it in large part, but it’s in the fabric of my being, and I go to Rose.”
We’ll See a Different Side of the Shining’s Dick Hallorann
Audiences will meet plenty of new characters in It: Welcome to Derry. But one character who is likely very familiar to Stephen King fans is Dick Hallorann, the man who would go on to become head chef at the Overlook Hotel and who would use his “shine” to help save Danny Torrance from the terrifying forces lurking within its halls. Hallorann is a central character in The Shining (played by Scatman Crothers in Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation, and by Melvin Van Peebles in Mick Garris’ 1977 miniseries) and a tertiary one in Doctor Sleep (portrayed by Carl Lumbly in Mike Flannagan’s adaptation). However, Constant Readers will know that Hallorann also has ties to Derry, where he founded The Black Spot bar, the site of a racially-motivated attack. According to Chris Chalk, the actor bringing this iconic character back to the screen in It: Welcome to Derry, the version of Hallorann we meet in the series is quite different to the older, gentler version we know and love.
“Dick is in Derry because Dick fucked up,” says Chalk. “Dick thinks all of these people are corny, he doesn’t respect a single one of them, and that’s the journey of Dick. The Dick you know is super nice. Good luck with this Dick!”
In an exclusive clip played for the NYCC audience, Hallorann—who was a mess cook in the military during his younger years—has a terrifying vision of Pennywise while flying high overhead in a U.S. Air Force plane, seeing the ruin’s of Bob Gray’s circus wagon and dead children suspended in the air in the sewer.
“You’re going to meet him at a stage where he has a different relationship with his internal self, with his spiritual world,” Chalk adds of Hallorann, “and his biggest fear is himself and losing control.”
Photo taken by Samantha McLaren.
Pennywise Is Here, but You Won’t See the Iconic Clown Right Away
We’ve been dancing around the Dancing Clown a lot in this article without looking directly at It. Don’t worry, Pennywise stans, It’s definitely part of the series—but you might not see It in Its clown form right away.
“He’s our shark,” says Barbara Muschietti, referencing Jaws’ tactic of teasing viewers with sightings before a sudden and shocking reveal. “We believe wholeheartedly that we can’t allow the audience to get comfortable with It. We had to hide the ball.”
“Part of the unpredictability is, ‘When is the clown going to show up?’” adds Andy Muschietti. “I can’t tell you when! But he will… He’s present in other incarnations for a while and then, when you least expect it, there he is.”
It: Welcome to Derry will premiere on HBO and HBO Max October 26th, 2025.
Crystal Lake, Peacock’s highly anticipated Friday the 13th prequel series, screened its first two episodes at Beyond Fest 2026 ahead of its October 15 premiere. Horror Press was there to see Jason’s first on-screen appearance since 2009, and hear showrunner Brad Caleb Kane reveal what’s ahead for the franchise.
Note: This article contains no major spoilers for the first two episodes of Crystal Lake, but does discuss characters, franchise connections and details revealed during Brad Caleb Kane’s post-screening Q&A.
Beyond Fest has already been a treat for fans of horror icons, with the Egyptian Theatre hosting a rare screening of the original It miniseries alongside special screenings of Green Room, The Sixth Sense, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma and more. But the return to Crystal Lake was something else entirely. That’s right: Jason Voorhees is back.
What Is Crystal Lake About?
Crystal Lake follows Linda Cardellini as Pam Voorhees, exploring the time in between Jason’s iconic drowning and her blossoming into the iconic slasher. The first two episodes are set on capturing the vibe of the first four original films with lots of blood, humor, and a lot of surprises that we won’t be going into.
After the screening, the series’ incredibly charismatic showrunner and Friday mega-fan, Brad Caleb Kane, joined for a Q&A. He was grateful enough to not only share insight into these premiere episodes, but also hint at the future of the series.
Crystal Lake Brings Back Characters From the Original Friday the 13th
One of the most notable things about the prequel series’ early episodes are how attentive they are to the quirky small-town characters of the original movie. Not only do they capture the spirit of the characters, but several notable characters make their first appearance since the original. Officer Dorf and Steve Chrissy are fan favorites that show up, as well as some of the series’ very first victims. Overall, the episodes make a point to try to fully recreate that sleepy New Jersey lakeside village. Who else can we expect, or not expect, though?
Creighton Duke Won’t Man an Appearance
Disappointingly, we have personal confirmation that Creighton Duke, the Jason hunter from Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, will not be making an appearance. For all those fans of Part 9, my heart goes out to you…you’re not alone. In addition, there are said to be no returning elements of lore from this controversial entry.
While the central counselors of the original Friday the 13th are not to be seen quite yet in the series, showrunner Brad Caleb Kane did mention that certain scenes from the original may make a reappearance. The new cast will reenact iconic moments from the first Friday. While not confirmed, this could hint at more incoming returning characters…
Jason Voorhees Could Get a New Mask
Naturally, Jason does not get that hockey mask until Part 3, and the bag mask until Part 2, Kane did mention in his intro for the episodes that there may be a mask at some point in the series. Could it be a new mask? Will it be just an easter egg, or a bigger part of the franchise? It is unclear for now, but it seems everyone has their fingers crossed for a certain piece of hockey paraphernalia to show up.
Crystal Lake Will Eventually Become a Full-On Slasher
While Friday the 13th is horror at its core, Brad Caleb Kane discussed drawing inspiration from the paranoid thrillers of the 1970s for Crystal Lake. Since the series is set in the 70s, Kane namedropped movies like The Parallax View as being a basis for the series’ suspense elements. It is not clear how far the show will push these conspiracy elements, or to what extent, but I personally am on the edge of my seat. Some other Friday fans may not love this angle, but after there being worm-demons in Jason Goes to Hell, I think we can all accept stretching the mythology a bit.
Now, given this news, some of those same fans might be disappointed the show is not a full-on slasher, beginning to end. However, Kane tells fans not to worry. The show will build back into total slasher territory, and he promises lots of blood, and lots of kills.
Thanks so much to Brad Caleb Kane for the Q&A, and to Beyond Fest, American Cinematheque, and the Egyptian Theater for such a great night.
When Does Crystal Lake Premiere on Peacock?
Crystal Lake premieres on Peacock on October 15th.
Wake up, babe—the first announcements for Halloween Horror Nights 2026 just dropped, and they’ve got us hyped! This year marks the 35th installment of the premiere Halloween season event, and to celebrate the anniversary, HHN is bringing back not one but two of its biggest icons: Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow!
Universal Creative made the announcement at this weekend’s MEGACON Orlando “Behind the Screams: Crafting 35 Years of Fear at Universal Halloween Horror Nights” panel, followed by an X post clarifying that “the forces of horror are BACK. Jack The Clown and Dr. Oddfellow return to wreak havoc together at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights” The team also revealed the name of the first house: Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control.
What does the return of these two icons—historically bitter rivals—mean for guests, and what can we expect to see in the house? Read on for everything we know about HHN 35 so far, and a quick primer on the lore for the uninitiated!
Credit: Universal Halloween Horror Nights / Inside The Magic
Who is Jack the Clown?
Debuting at Halloween Horror Nights X in the year 2000, Jack the Clown was HHN’s first original icon. In the real world, he’s the result of a series of surveys conducted by the Universal team that consistently revealed clowns to be visitors’ biggest fear. But his lore within the universe of HHN is much more complicated—and sinister.
Born in the late 1800s, Jack “the Clown” Schmidt started life as a performing clown, eventually finding his way to Dr. Oddfellow’s Carnival of Thrills in the early 1900s. When local authorities realized that the traveling carnival was leaving a trail of missing children in its wake and began closing in, Jack confided his crimes to his boss, who didn’t take the news well. Not wanting the police at his door, Oddfellow murdered Jack and stuffed his body into a box, hiding him (and the dead kids’ corpses) inside a sideshow attraction.
Who is Dr. Oddfellow?
Dr. Rich Oddfellow is a fascinating character even outside of his connection with Jack. Long before getting entangled with the kiddie killer, Oddfellow was obsessed with the Zodiac, believing it held the potential to grant him power and immortality—and he wasn’t afraid to commit some twisted, ritualistic murders of his own to unlock its secrets. His quest led him deep into the jungle, where he uncovered a crystal skull that he used to create his Cane of Souls.
During their struggle, Jack managed to gouge a chunk out of his boss’s face, leaving Oddfellow with a distinctive scar on his cheek. Oddfellow would later attempt to shapeshift to hide his identity, but that scar always remained, serving as a clue for eagle-eyed park visitors. More importantly, the scuffle spilled some of Oddfellow’s immortal blood on Jack’s face, imbuing him with some of Oddfellow’s powers. This led to Jack’s resurrection when, in the 1980s, a BBC production crew unwittingly released Jack from the music box holding his spirit captive, allowing Jack to pursue a bloody path of carnage and revenge.
Halloween Horror Nights Most Long Awaited Showdown
There’s a lot more to the backstory than that, and you can find some of it on the Discover Universal Blog if you want to bone up before the event. What’s important is that Jack has appeared frequently at HHN events, often on anniversary years, with Oddfellow finally getting his lore explored in depth at HHN 32 in 2023. But the two icons have never gone head to head—until now!
What Is the “Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control” House at HHN 35?
We’re still in the early days of HHN 35 announcements, but here’s what we know right now about a clash of titans 25 years in the making!
According to the official announcement from HHN, “Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control” will allow guests to “witness Jack the Clown’s unholy origins, then enter Dr. Oddfellow’s wickedly twisted universe where two of the most powerful forces in horror will face off in a deathmatch of chaos versus control.” The original house will be just one part of the Infernal Carnival of Nightmares (or I.C.O.N. for short, get it?) that visitors will experience once they step through the front gates of the park.
“The haunted house is going to be wild because … basically you’re going into the box,” said Mike Aiello, Universal Orlando Resort’s senior director of Entertainment Creative Development, in an interview with USA TODAY. “You’re experiencing what Jack experienced when he got killed and shoved in there, and essentially you’re going into a realm that we call the Oddverse. And it’s in this realm that Jack and Oddfellow have this immense, epic battle.”
Will the Icons Unite? What Their Twisted Team-Up Could Mean
What starts as a feverish fight will ultimately culminate in Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow teaming up to, presumably, terrorize a common enemy: us. “You’ve got a cerebral end of the spectrum [Oddfellow] and you’ve got a visceral end [Jack]—two great ideologies there in how they can affect a guest,” Aiello added. “And that is a lot of the content that we’ll be presenting this year, is under that infernal banner.”
Will Jack and Oddfellow kiss and make up at Halloween Horror Nights 35? Only time will tell.
Photo courtesy of Samantha McLaren.
When is Halloween Horror Nights 2026, when do tickets go on sale, and how much will it cost?
HHN 35 will run on select nights from August 28 to November 1, 2026. The full event calendar has yet to be released, but if previous years are anything to go by, you should expect HHN to fall Wednesday through Sunday most weeks during its run. So, if you’re planning to spend a full week at Universal Orlando or Universal Hollywood for Halloween Horror Nights, consider using Monday and Tuesday as a rest day. After all, all those late-night hikes through the Scare Zones can be hard on the old tootsies!
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 Tickets, Add-Ons, and Planning Tips
Tickets for HHN 35 have not yet been released. Based on last year’s event, we anticipate that single-night tickets and add-ons will drop sometime in late May or early June, with multi-night tickets following a few weeks later, so keep an eye on the official Halloween Horror Nights social accounts and your credit card at the ready. While exact pricing is not yet available, single-night tickets for the 2025 event at Universal Orlando Resort started at $82.99 per person, with multi-night passes starting at $199.99.
Remember: Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event, so your daily park admission or annual pass does not grant entry. You also have the option to purchase extras like Express Passes, RIP Tours, and Behind-the-Screams: Unmasking the Horror tours, all of which can enhance your experience if you’re willing to part with the benjamins. Check out our ultimate Halloween Horror Nights guide to help you start planning your 2026 trip.
HHN 35 Rumors: Potential Houses and Scare Zones for 2026
As for the other houses and Scare Zones, we can only speculate. Perhaps we’ll get another Stranger Things house to celebrate the series’ official conclusion. And with Insidious 6 scheduled to hit theaters this August, another trip into The Further may be in the cards. Watch this space, and be sure to check back for our super-scientific house rankings once the event gets underway.
We’ll see you in the fog this fall!
