Jason Fuchs, Andy Muschietti, and Barbara Muschietti have successfully brought to life an ambitious high-profile HBO series titled “It: Welcome to Derry,” which delves into the intricate universe crafted by Stephen King. This series is a significant addition to the King fandom, promising to explore the history of Derry, the town haunted by the malevolent entity represented by Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise. Throughout the show, viewers will gain insights into three pivotal questions left unanswered at the conclusion of King’s 1986 novel.
The series follows the precedents set by the successful films “It” (2017) and “It: Chapter Two” (2019), both of which were directed by Andy Muschietti. However, “Welcome to Derry” uses the original text more as a foundation rather than a direct adaptation. It elaborates on various interludes from the novel that recount significant moments from Derry’s past, creating a fresh narrative that unfolds in 1962. The new storyline not only revisits some characters from the films but also introduces new faces who confront the terror brought by It.
Andy and Barbara Muschietti shared in an interview their motivation behind the series, expressing a desire to investigate the mysteries lingering from both the novel and their previous adaptations. According to Andy, the show’s focus revolves around three core inquiries: “What is It? What does It want? And why is It in this plane of existence?”
Ambitiously, when they first presented the concept for “It: Welcome to Derry,” the Muschiettis envisioned a trilogy. This idea entails revisiting the town every 27 years, the cyclical period in which the evil resurfaces. As each season progresses, it is expected that these significant questions will be explored deeper, possibly culminating in answers at the end of each season.
Should the series be renewed for subsequent seasons, it will explore the town’s past, delving back to moments in 1935 and eventually 1908, the time when It awakened in the aftermath of an explosion. This also aims to reveal the crucial rationale behind It’s existence in our realm, enhancing the show’s mystery and intrigue. However, there is an additional narrative arc that goes beyond merely explaining It. As Andy noted, the show aspires to uncover a broader mythology that intertwines with King’s wider body of work.
Viewers may be surprised to discover the extensive lore that links all of King’s novels, known as the macroverse, prominently featured in the “Dark Tower” series. The narrative hints that there exist deeper connections, as exemplified by references to Maturin, a giant benevolent turtle that plays a crucial role in the universe. “Welcome to Derry” has already included nods to this interconnected mythology, and fans can expect more surprises as the series unfolds.
The potential for “It: Welcome to Derry” to culminate in three full seasons hinges on its reception, which has thus far been impressive. The series has already made a significant impact by topping HBO Max charts, ranking as one of the platform’s most successful premieres. This positive reception provides hope for fans eager to uncover the deeper secrets of the story and the world Stephen King has intricately crafted.