It: Welcome to Derry Premieres with New Pennywise Horror, Highlights 1960s Racial Tensions

The new HBO series It: Welcome to Derry, a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 Stephen King film adaptations, revisits the terrifying clown Pennywise, portrayed once again by Bill Skarsgård, who terrifies both viewers and cast members with his eerie presence. The show delves deeper into the lore of Derry, exploring multiple timelines from 1905 to 1965 and revealing the cosmic origins of Pennywise linked to a celestial crash and a divine turtle-like being named Maturin. Beyond the supernatural horror, the series starkly highlights the very real, systemic racism of 1960s America, portraying the struggles of Black characters such as Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon, and amplifying the theme that human evil, particularly racism, is as frightening as any monster. Show creators emphasize that the true horror is not just the shape-shifting entity but also the cruelty and prejudice within human nature, a theme that expands on the original films and King’s novels. The series’ first episode sets a dark tone with shocking scenes that rival or surpass earlier installments in disturbing impact, garnering significant audience attention. This layered storytelling, combining supernatural terror with social commentary, offers a fresh and intense expansion of the It universe.