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Fans are eagerly awaiting for the Stephen King adaptation the Derry series, that's been garnering praise and weaving in themes from additional King stories. Just one day after launch, the network declared that the second installment will premiere ahead of schedule, released fittingly for the spookiest night.

Premiere Shift Information

Kicking off on October 31 at 3 a.m. EST, episode two of It: Welcome to Derry will make its debut on the streaming service, before its linear broadcast. Subsequent episodes of the series run will premiere on Sunday nights on the network and streaming service, culminating in the final episode on December 14th.

Series Overview

Based in Stephen King’s It universe, the new series draws from King’s iconic novel while enlarging the world realized by director Andy Muschietti in the recent movie adaptations. The first It movie focused on young characters battling terrifying threats, so it’s fitting that the prequel continues that tradition. Yet, the first installment of HBO’s Welcome to Derry demonstrates it aimed to escalate the fear, offering even more intense scares than the movies and establishing a dark atmosphere for the rest of the season.

Setting and Themes

Located in the early '60s, this show presents a fresh cast of grown-ups and kids residing in a seemingly idyllic town masking a dark secret. Derry functions through a cruel, recurring cycle—characterized by aggression, prejudice, and paranormal events, as a terrifying being returns every 27 years. Even though Welcome to Derry might sound like it strays too near to the cinematic adaptations at first, what sets apart the digital program is its dual perspective—unfolding through the perspectives of kids and grown-ups simultaneously. Children are highly exposed to the entity's fear, but grown-ups also face facing their personal demons born from the town's ingrained prejudice and covert otherworldly powers.

The series premieres on October 31 at midnight PT.