Welcome to Derry wrapped up its first season on Sunday, December 14, fans quickly shifted their focus to what comes next. With the finale now behind them, the biggest question is whether Pennywise will return for Season 2. While HBO has not made an official announcement yet, growing buzz and strong signs have kept hopes high among viewers.
The eight episode horror series, starring Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise, premiered on October 26 on HBO and HBO Max. Set in the world of Stephen King’s IT, the show expands the story seen in IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019). The series was created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and showrunner Jason Fuchs.
One of the biggest positives for the show is its strong viewership. According to The Wrap, the first episode was watched by 5.7 million people across platforms in its first three days. This made it the third-biggest debut in HBO Max history, behind House of the Dragon and The Last of Us.
The show continued to perform well throughout the season. As reported by Variety, Episode 7 attracted 5.8 million viewers in its first three days. Overall, the series is averaging around 10.7 million viewers per episode, which is an important factor for Warner Bros. Discovery when deciding on renewals.
The creators have also made it clear that the story was planned to go beyond just one season. In an earlier interview, Andy Muschietti said the series is designed as a three season story.
Speaking to Variety in October, he said the story is designed to run much longer. “Our big story arc involves three seasons, mainly based on the three critical cycles of Pennywise, which are 1962, 1935 and 1908,” Muschietti said.
The show also explores deeper parts of Stephen King’s novel, especially the sections that reveal Derry’s dark past. Unlike the films, which focused on the main plot, the series digs into the hidden history of the town. “Welcome to Derry explores the deeper lore alluded to throughout the book,” Muschietti told Variety. “I went into the book and looked at the interludes. I realized there was a hidden story there… It’s a story told backwards.”
With strong ratings, clear plans for multiple seasons, and Bill Skarsgard continuing as Pennywise, IT: Welcome to Derry looks well placed for a Season 2 even though HBO has not confirmed it yet. For now, fans can watch the Season 1 finale and wait to see if Pennywise returns once again.
