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HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry is shaping up to be a promising and chilling addition to the Stephen King universe.
The show is a prequel to It and will delve into the origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The show is expected to explore the cursed town of Derry, Maine, and the earlier cycles of terror that have plagued the town, as well as the events involving the Losers Club.
The specific plot is not known; however, during the San Diego Comic-Con, the creators, Andy and Barbara Muschietti, who directed and produced the IT films, confirmed that the psychic cook from The Shining, Hallorann, will play a significant role in the first season.
Read on to know the details.
Here's how It: Welcome to Derry brings back iconic Stephen King character
As mentioned, the prequel series will explore the becoming of Pennywise, the dancing clown.
For this, the show is introducing Hallorann from The Shining, played by Chris Chalk. The character also briefly appeared in the It novel, and Welcome to Derry is expected to expand on his role. This character will be crucial, considering his ability to confront the town's darkness and Pennywise's evil as depicted in The Shining.
This crossover signals a broader Stephen King universe connection, offering fans not only a deeper look at Pennywise’s past but also how other iconic characters fit into the web of cosmic horror surrounding Derry. It suggests some alien origins and the reasons behind the recurring 27-year cycle; therefore, Welcome to Derry promises a tense blend of this mythology, dark and psychological horror.
Why Dick Hollorann's appearance is significant for It: Welcome to Derry
Dick Hallorann’s confirmed appearance in It: Welcome to Derry comes as a major development that signals the show's intention to firmly connect the It prequel to the broader Stephen King universe.
Hallorann is best known for The Shining and is Stephen King's fan favourite character. He is portrayed as a compassionate man with psychic abilities. His presence in the upcoming HBO series isn't just a fan service but is meticulously woven into the fabric of the story itself and will help explore Pennywise more deeply.
In the original It novel, Hallorann briefly appears during an interlude recounting the burning of The Black Spot, a nightclub built and frequented by Black soldiers stationed in Derry. The novel here features a real-life inspired tragedy when the club is set ablaze by a white supremacist group.
This tragedy also reflects the town’s deep-rooted evil—an evil Pennywise has long fed on. Since the first season of Welcome to Derry reportedly centres on this horrific event, it makes narrative sense for Hallorann, then a cook at The Black Spot, to have a prominent role.
He will emerge as the perfect counterpoint to Pennywise's ancient malice. Moreover, his appearance paves the way for interconnected events across King's novels. On the other hand, his appearance would also raise high expectations for the show because of the portrayal of the character, who is already a fan favorite.
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The show is set to premiere in October 2025, according to IMDb.
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