IT: Welcome to Derry Drops Next Episode Two Days Early—Just in Time for Halloween
Forget pumpkin spice—this Halloween belongs to Pennywise, as red balloons and a razor grin dominate costumes, décor, and the season’s loudest screams.
Halloween came with an unexpected treat: you don't have to wait a full week for the next round of clown-fueled nightmares. 'IT: Welcome to Derry' episode 2 is arriving earlier than planned.
When to watch episode 2
- US early drop: Friday, October 31 at 12:00am PT / 3:00am ET on HBO (per HBO's press note). Yes, that's right at midnight PT.
- US regular slot: Sunday, November 2 at 6:00pm ET / 9:00pm PT. That ET/PT split looks odd, but that's how HBO listed it.
- UK: It's not confirmed whether the Halloween drop applies. For now, it's expected on Sky and Now on Monday, November 3 at 2:00am GMT.
- After that: New episodes roll out weekly on Sundays as usual.
What this prequel is actually doing
Based on Stephen King's 80s doorstopper 'IT,' 'Welcome to Derry' rewinds the clock 27 years before Andy Muschietti's 2017 film, setting the story in the 1960s. The hook: a young family moves to Derry and quickly learns the town is basically a magnet for disaster and murder. Bill Skarsgard is back under the greasepaint as Pennywise, because of course he is.
How the premiere landed
The series debuted on Sunday, October 26 with a first-episode bloodbath that had audiences rattled and sprinkled in a few Stephen King Easter eggs for the faithful. If you caught the red-band trailer, you already know they're not easing up on the gore anytime soon.
Who's in it
The cast includes Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Blake Cameron James, Arian S. Cartaya, Amanda Christine, Matilda Lawler, Clara Stack, Madeleine Stowe, Rudy Mancuso, and Bill Skarsgard.
Where to watch
'IT: Welcome to Derry' airs weekly on HBO and HBO Max in the US, and on Sky and Now in the UK.