IT: Welcome to Derry, the horror series starring Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, is ending its first season on Sunday, December 14, and fans are already asking one big question: will the show return for Season 2? Although HBO has not made any official announcement yet, several strong signs point towards a positive future for the series.
The eight-episode first season of IT: Welcome to Derry premieres October 26 on HBO and HBO Max. Based on Stephen King’s IT universe, the show expands the world created in IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019), both directed by Andy Muschietti. The series was developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and showrunner Jason Fuchs.
The biggest reason for optimism is viewership. According to The Wrap, the pilot episode attracted 5.7 million cross-platform viewers in its first three days. It marked the third-highest debut in HBO Max history, behind House of the Dragon and The Last of Us.
This momentum continued throughout the season. Variety reported that episode 7 attracted 5.8 million viewers in its first three days. More importantly, the series has received an average of 10.7 million viewers per episode so far. These numbers matter as Warner Bros. Discovery decides whether to renew IT: Welcome to Derry for Season 2.
Here’s what the creators said about future seasons
Although HBO has not confirmed a renewal, Andy Muschietti has already shared plans beyond Season 1. Speaking to Variety in October, he said that the story is designed to last much longer.
Muschietti said, “Our big story consists of three seasons, based primarily on the three significant cycles of Pennywise, which are 1962, 1935 and 1908.”
He also revealed that the series takes inspiration from Stephen King’s novel in a unique way. While the IT films adapted the main story, the show looks in-depth into the background sections of the book.
“Welcome to Derry explores the deep lore explored throughout the book,” Muschietti told Variety. “I went into the book and looked at the gaps. I realized there was a hidden story there… It’s a story told from behind.”
With strong ratings, a clear multi-season plan, and Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise still at the center of the story, an IT: Welcome to Derry season 2 seems likely, even if it’s not official yet. For now, fans can watch the season 1 finale on Sunday night on HBO and HBO Max and wait for an announcement that could bring Pennywise back to Derry once again.
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