HBO’s It prequel will reintroduce Pennywise for a chilling new story.

It’s been an exciting time for horror enthusiasts. Obsession emerged as one of 2026’s biggest surprise hits, Backrooms transformed an internet nightmare into a box-office sensation, and even smaller films like Hokum found their audience. Now, one of the most legendary tales from horror master Stephen King is set to continue. HBO has officially greenlit a second season of It: Welcome to Derry, diving deeper into the origins of Pennywise and the cursed town of Derry, Maine.

This renewal isn’t a shocker. Since its debut last year, Welcome to Derry has quickly become one of HBO Max’s top four series launches worldwide, and creators Andy and Barbara Muschietti have been vocal about their desire to further explore Derry’s dark history.

It: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to Andy Muschietti’s films It and It: Chapter Two, delving into the lore of King’s infamous haunted town.

The first season is set in 1962, 27 years prior to the events of the original It film, as a new group of children investigates the mysterious disappearances and terrors plaguing Derry. Concurrently, Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo), Charlotte Hanlon (Taylour Paige), and Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) become entangled in a military operation aimed at understanding — and possibly weaponizing — the supernatural force lurking beneath the town. Naturally, this force eventually reveals its most infamous form: Pennywise, once again portrayed by Bill Skarsgård.

The series takes advantage of its extended TV format to delve into both its younger characters and the town of Derry itself, illustrating how Pennywise’s influence permeates the entire community rather than just targeting individual victims.

In a review of the first season, it was noted that Welcome to Derry is “the best, scariest It story yet,” highlighting its deeper exploration of Derry, its ensemble cast, and how the episodic structure allowed for storytelling that the films couldn’t achieve. The series also recaptured some of the coming-of-age magic that made both 2017’s It and the first season of Stranger Things resonate so well.

The second season will take a leap back another 27 years, moving from 1962 to 1935, during the Great Depression. HBO has revealed that the new season will focus on the massacre of the Bradley Gang, a group of bank robbers who come to Derry seeking ammunition but instead encounter something far more sinister.

This event is directly lifted from King’s It, where the Bradley Gang massacre is one of several historical horrors linked to Pennywise’s recurring appearances in Derry. The gang was hinted at during the first season of Welcome to Derry, both in the opening credits and through a vintage car associated with the criminals that Hallorann discovers.

HBO has yet to announce the cast for the new season, including whether Skarsgård will reprise his role as Pennywise. Given the show’s premise, however, it’s clear that the entity will play a significant role.

A release date for It: Welcome to Derry season 2 has not been disclosed.