HBO’s 'IT: Welcome to Derry' Advances With Season 2 Plans

Published 01/21/2026, 3:49 PM EST

HBO’s IT: Welcome to Derry drove fans deep into the heart of the cursed Maine town where Pennywise’s terror first took shape. It offered a richly atmospheric prequel that expanded Stephen King’s mythos and left audiences ravenous for more long before the finale aired. From the eerie streets and haunted sewers to the tortured memories of its young characters, Season 1 made Derry itself feel like a living nightmare.

But now that fans’ wishes are seemingly coming true, the horror world is buzzing with news that HBO may be preparing to unwrap Season 2.

Welcome to Derry buckles up for Season 2

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The Hollywood Reporter reported on the sequel’s development, underscoring that while HBO has not yet formally renewed IT: Welcome to Derry, a second season is in the works and gathering momentum among studios and creatives. According to the report, Andy Muschietti’s involvement in other DC projects, including The Brave and the Bold, is contingent on his availability, which has become tighter precisely because of Derry’s success. 

Behind this cautious optimism lies Derry’s impressive performance: the series has consistently grown its audience each week and secured millions of viewers globally, prompting insiders to describe it as one of HBO’s breakout horror hits. The show’s finale, which aired in December 2025, cemented its reputation and clearly laid the groundwork for more storytelling.

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With that backdrop confirmed, creative teams are already teasing where Season 2 might take viewers.

A recap of IT: Welcome to Derry Season 1

Series co-creators Andy and Barbara Muschietti have publicly articulated a larger blueprint for the show, one that was conceived as a three-season arc rooted in the pivotal 27-year cycles of Pennywise’s terror. Andy explained that the narrative is structured around three critical eras: 1962, 1935, and 1908, corresponding to major horrifying events in Derry’s cursed history, with the story deliberately told in reverse chronological order. 

“Our big story arc involves three seasons, mainly based on the three critical cycles of Pennywise...” Andy shared to Variety. 

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This reverse structure means that Season 1’s exploration of 1962 was only the beginning: Season 2 theoretically would plunge into 1935, potentially illuminating events like the Bradley Gang massacre and other tragedies that plague Derry’s legacy, while Season 3 would journey deeper to 1908, where the roots of Pennywise’s first manifestations may lie.

With the groundwork laid by Season 1 and a broader timeline waiting to be explored, fans are poised for even deeper glimpses into the nightmares hidden beneath Derry’s streets.

What Is the Fog in ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’?

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What do you think should happen in Season 2 of It: Welcome to Derry? Share your theories in the comments below.

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Sarah Ansari

143 articles

Sarah Ansari is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie, transitioning from four years in marketing and automotive journalism to storytelling-driven pop culture coverage. With a background in English Literature and experience writing across NFL, NASCAR, and NBA verticals, she brings a research-led, narrative-focused lens to film and television. Passionate about exploring how stories are crafted and why they resonate, Sarah unwinds through sketching, swimming, motorsports—and yearly winter Harry Potter marathons.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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