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Audiences are thrilled for the horror series It: Welcome to Derry, already receiving positive feedback and drawing from themes from additional King stories. Now, HBO has revealed that episode two will premiere ahead of schedule, scheduled ideally for October 31st.

Early Release Information

Starting on the last day of October at 3 a.m. EST, episode two of the Derry prequel will premiere on HBO's online platform, prior to its linear broadcast. Subsequent episodes of the series run will continue to air on Sunday nights on HBO and HBO Max, culminating in the concluding chapter on Sunday, December 14.

Series Overview

Set in Stephen King’s It universe, Welcome to Derry borrows elements from the classic book while enlarging the world brought to life by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the two It films. The first It movie focused on adolescents battling terrifying threats, making it appropriate that this show follows in those footsteps. Yet, the debut of the HBO series shows it set out to increase the tension, providing heightened horror than Muschietti’s films and establishing a dark atmosphere for the rest of the season.

Setting and Themes

Located in the early '60s, this show presents a new generation of grown-ups and kids living in a seemingly idyllic town concealing a dark secret. Derry follows a brutal, periodic loop—one marked by hostility, discrimination, and otherworldly forces, as a monstrous presence reappears once every three decades. Although the series might seem like it skews too close to the cinematic adaptations at first, what differentiates the digital program is its parallel storytelling—narrated via the viewpoints of young and old at the same time. The kids stay highly exposed to the monster's horror, but the adults aren’t spared confronting their personal demons arising from local discrimination and covert otherworldly powers.

Episode 2 airs on October 31 at 3 a.m. EST.