IT: Welcome to Derry Teaser Arrives on HBO Max
Josh Holloway leads a starry ensemble in a sinister prequel to Pennywise’s realm this fall
Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. Her passion for writing engaging articles has led her to pursue a career in content writing since 2020. Sakshi has written in various niches, including health and wellness, fintech, blockchain, and lifestyle.
Read full bio of Sakshi
Image: Instagram
Evil Is Coming To Derry
This week, Lost alum Josh Holloway took to Instagram to drop the first teaser images for IT: Welcome to Derry, the highly anticipated horror prequel series set to stream on HBO Max this fall. With a simple but ominous caption—”Evil is coming.”—the actor and @streamonmax partner reignited excitement for Stephen King’s universe, promising fans a deeper dive into the sinister history of the Maine town.
Inside The Teaser Pics
The carousel of three images paints a chilling tableau. In the first shot, a flickering neon sign reads “Welcome to Derry,” casting an eerie glow over empty streets. The second frame is dominated by a blood-red balloon drifting against a stormy backdrop—a nod to Pennywise’s favorite calling card. The final image lingers on a shadowy silhouette that could be the iconic clown himself, all set to the crackle of an old radio announcer pitching the upcoming fall season.
Holloway’s minimalist post leaves room for speculation. No dialogue clips or cast credits appear—just raw atmosphere designed to unsettle. Yet, the familiar carnival-inspired font and red balloons instantly tie these photos to the legacy of IT, a franchise that has grossed over half a billion dollars worldwide since the 2017 film adaptation.
Josh Holloway’s Place In King’s World
Best known for his breakout role as Sawyer on the ABC hit Lost, Holloway has steadily become a fixture in genre television. His casting in Welcome to Derry marks a homecoming of sorts: back in May, he posted an Instagram tribute to HBO’s The Last of Us, captioned “From one screen to another. 🎮📺 #TheLastOfUs,” underscoring his affinity for high-stakes, character-driven storytelling on streaming platforms.
While HBO Max hasn’t disclosed his exact character details, insiders confirm Holloway joins a star-studded ensemble including Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, and Taylour Paige. The series will follow several residents of Derry in the years before Pennywise’s rise, exploring how everyday horrors paved the way for the supernatural evil that would grip the town every 27 years.
Building On A Cinematic Legacy
IT: Welcome to Derry is the brainchild of producers Barbara Muschietti and Andy Muschietti, who co-wrote and directed the successful 2017 and 2019 feature films. Tasked with expanding the backstory, showrunner Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman 1984) aims to balance small-town drama with the franchise’s trademark scares. HBO Max describes the series as an “atmospheric thriller,” promising “unseen corners of Derry” as it charts new territory around child abductions, government cover-ups, and creeping madness.
Executive producer Bill Skarsgård, who portrayed Pennywise in the films, returns in a cameo capacity—his presence a direct thread to the big-screen mythos. Critics are watching closely to see if the series can match the films’ blend of coming-of-age emotion and bone-chilling horror.
What To Expect This Fall
Max has slated IT: Welcome to Derry for a fall release window, with an exact premiere date expected by late summer. Subscribers can anticipate an eight-episode run that unfolds over consecutive weeks, allowing the storyline to build momentum toward a finale that echoes the blood-soaked climax of the original novel.
Promotional strategy will lean heavily on cryptic teasers like Holloway’s, supplemented by character posters and teaser trailers. Fans have already begun decoding Easter eggs in the images—from the red balloon’s string forming a subtle smile to the flickering neon suggesting a carnival that vanished decades ago.
Alongside Josh Holloway, the cast includes several breakout faces from independent horror and drama, promising fresh interpretations of familiar lore. Whether you tune in as a die-hard King fan or a newcomer lured by the scares, Derry’s dark past is about to become Must-Watch TV.
As the summer heat peaks, the tease of chilling winds from Maine makes its way to screens worldwide. Prepare for an autumn binge that revisits childhood fears with adult perspective—and a few new twists to keep even the boldest horror buffs awake at night.
Evil has a new address this fall, and it’s right in the heart of Derry.
Read full bio of Sakshi
