Fans of Stephen King’s chilling universe are eagerly awaiting updates on the IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 9 release date, as Warner Bros. Television and Max gear up to unleash one of 2026’s most anticipated horror series. As of December 2025, production has wrapped, and post-production is in full swing. The series is expected to premiere in September 2026, with Episode 9 — the season finale — projected to air in late November or early December 2026, based on Max’s confirmed weekly release schedule.
This prequel to IT and IT Chapter Two dives deep into the origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown and the cursed town of Derry, Maine. Directed and produced by Andy Muschietti, the visionary behind the blockbuster IT films, the show promises a dark and psychological exploration of how fear took root in one of horror’s most infamous fictional towns.
Production Timeline and Episode Schedule
Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed that Welcome to Derry will premiere exclusively on Max in the fall of 2026, perfectly timed for the Halloween season. The series will consist of nine episodes, each approximately an hour long.
Following the platform’s traditional weekly format used for hits like The Last of Us and House of the Dragon, Episode 9 is expected to air around late November 2026, serving as the climactic finale of the show’s debut season.
Though the exact air dates are not yet public, Warner Bros. executives have hinted that the rollout schedule will be strategically aligned with October’s peak horror programming window, allowing fans to experience the unfolding terror throughout the fall months.
A Look Inside the Story: Exploring Derry’s Origins
Welcome to Derry will serve as a prequel to the IT film franchise, expanding Stephen King’s mythology beyond the Losers Club saga. The story is set decades before the events of IT (2017), exploring how Derry became a magnet for supernatural evil.
The show will chronicle the early appearances of Pennywise’s entity, detailing the strange events and disappearances that marked the town long before the modern timeline of the films. It will also explore the psychological effects of fear, trauma, and collective denial among Derry’s citizens — themes that mirror King’s original novel.
Fans can expect a blend of psychological horror, mystery, and character-driven storytelling, revealing how Derry’s residents first encountered the ancient evil lurking beneath their streets.
Filming and Post-Production Status
Filming for Welcome to Derry took place in Toronto, Ontario, from spring 2024 through mid-2025. The city’s downtown and suburban areas once again served as stand-ins for Derry, Maine, maintaining visual continuity with the IT films.
The production wrapped earlier this year, with the series now deep in post-production. Visual effects teams are currently crafting the show’s haunting atmosphere, including Pennywise’s transformations and the eerie sewer settings central to Derry’s lore.
Crew members involved in the IT movies have returned to ensure the series maintains the same cinematic tone and unsettling aesthetic. Sound design and score production are also underway, with a focus on amplifying tension and emotional depth rather than relying solely on jump scares.
Early internal screenings have reportedly received strong feedback, with particular praise for the cinematography, set design, and character development that anchor the show’s dark narrative.
Main Cast and Character Lineup
The cast of Welcome to Derry features a blend of established actors and emerging talent, forming a dynamic ensemble fit for the psychological complexity of the story.
Confirmed Cast Members
- Taylour Paige (Zola) – Set to portray one of the central leads who becomes entangled in Derry’s mysterious happenings.
- Jovan Adepo (Watchmen, Overlord) – Plays a key investigator uncovering the disturbing truth about the town’s curse.
- Chris Chalk (Perry Mason) – Cast in a prominent supporting role, rumored to be connected to Derry’s earliest disappearances.
- James Remar (Dexter) – Takes on a mysterious elder figure who knows more about the town’s past than he lets on.
- Madeleine Stowe (12 Monkeys) – Expected to portray a powerful and morally ambiguous character tied to Derry’s foundation.
While Warner Bros. has not officially confirmed if Bill Skarsgård will reprise his role as Pennywise, industry insiders suggest that the series may feature his likeness or voice in pivotal sequences to maintain continuity with the films.
The story introduces new characters spanning multiple generations, offering an in-depth look at how Derry’s evil presence has persisted through the decades.
Episode Focus and Story Structure
The show’s nine episodes are structured to build tension gradually, culminating in a finale that ties directly into the events preceding IT (2017).
While detailed plot synopses remain under wraps, leaked production outlines and early press materials indicate that Welcome to Derry will explore several key storylines:
- The building of Derry’s sewer system, which becomes a central piece of the town’s dark history.
- The first major cycle of disappearances that hints at Pennywise’s awakening.
- The origin of the creature’s physical form, explaining how the entity began to manifest as the clown.
- Human evil as a catalyst, exploring how Derry’s social and moral decay feeds the supernatural forces beneath it.
The final episodes are expected to connect the dots between Welcome to Derry and the first IT movie, bridging decades of horror and offering new insight into the clown’s legacy.
Creative Team and Direction
The creative leadership behind Welcome to Derry includes returning visionaries from the IT films, ensuring that the prequel aligns with the franchise’s dark tone and aesthetic.
- Andy Muschietti (Director/Executive Producer): Directing select episodes, including the pilot, to establish the series’ visual identity.
- Barbara Muschietti (Executive Producer): Overseeing production design and continuity with the previous films.
- Jason Fuchs (Writer/Executive Producer): Returning to co-write and develop the series’ screenplay, building on his work from IT Chapter Two.
- Warner Bros. Television and Double Dream Productions: Handling production in partnership with Max Originals.
Muschietti has emphasized that Welcome to Derry will blend psychological horror with rich character storytelling, focusing as much on emotional trauma as on supernatural terror.
Themes and Tone
While the IT films leaned heavily into creature-based horror, Welcome to Derry takes a broader psychological approach. The show will explore themes of inherited fear, denial, and community corruption — elements central to Stephen King’s worldbuilding.
The horror will be deeply atmospheric, drawing from real-world anxieties and the small-town paranoia that defines Derry. Expect a slower, more ominous buildup that contrasts with the jump-scare-driven structure of the previous movies.
Connection to the IT Films
The series will function as a direct prequel to IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019). Viewers will likely recognize locations such as the Neibolt House, Derry High School, and the sewers beneath the town — all key landmarks from the films.
Several narrative threads are expected to foreshadow events involving the Losers Club decades later. By the time IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 9 airs, fans should have a clear understanding of how Pennywise’s terror first took shape and why Derry remains trapped in a cycle of evil every 27 years.
Fan Anticipation and Online Buzz
Since production updates began surfacing in early 2025, Welcome to Derry has been one of Max’s most anticipated upcoming releases. Fans have taken to social media to speculate about which parts of King’s lore the show will adapt and whether cosmic horror elements — such as the creature’s origins from the Macroverse — will be explored.
Community discussions highlight excitement for the expanded worldbuilding and a deeper psychological focus. Horror forums and fan pages consistently rank Welcome to Derry among the top 10 most awaited series for 2026.
Streaming Details and U.S. Availability
When the show premieres, it will stream exclusively on Max across the United States. Each episode will drop weekly, likely on Thursday evenings, with the complete season available for on-demand viewing after the finale airs.
International distribution will vary, with Warner Bros. handling regional streaming rights through its Max service in Europe, Latin America, and select Asian territories.
Potential for a Second Season
While Welcome to Derry is being promoted as a limited prequel series, executives have hinted at the possibility of extending the story if viewership is strong. Discussions of a second season are reportedly in early stages, potentially exploring later timelines or alternate perspectives within the IT universe.
Warner Bros. and Max are positioning the series as both a standalone origin story and a narrative bridge that expands King’s mythology — similar to how The Conjuring and The Nun built interconnected horror franchises.
Final Thoughts: Countdown to the Return of Derry
The countdown to Pennywise’s terrifying return has officially begun. With production complete and a fall 2026 release locked in, Welcome to Derry is shaping up to be a defining horror event for television next year. Based on the confirmed schedule, the IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 9 release date will land near Thanksgiving 2026 — closing out the season with a finale that promises to deliver both fear and emotional depth.
What are your theories about Derry’s origins? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation as the town’s secrets begin to surface once more.