Welcome to Derry Season 2: Release, Cast, Plot & 1935 Setting

Horror fans who followed Pennywise back to 1960s Derry in the first season are now wondering what comes next. The second season of It – Welcome to Derry has been quietly confirmed, and early details point to a major shift: a 1930s gangster story set 27 years before the events of Season 1. Here’s everything we know so far about the cast, plot, and release timeline.

Status: In active development ·
Confirmed by: HBO (January 2026) ·
Setting: Derry, Maine, 1935 ·
Rumored release: Late 2027–early 2028 ·
Network: HBO ·
Streaming: HBO Max

Six key facts at a glance covering the season’s development status, showrunner, and distribution details.

Will there be a season 2 of Welcome to Derry?

Has HBO officially greenlit season 2?

• According to Wikipedia, the series was announced in January 2026 but HBO has not yet given a formal greenlight. HBO head Casey Bloys stated the delay is due to finding the right story without a source novel.
• Pre-production is underway, with casting calls for 1935-era characters reported by Business Upturn via Dailyhunt.

What did Casey Bloys say about season 2?

Bloys told Wikipedia that the series is “not in limbo” but that the creative team is taking time to craft a story worthy of Stephen King’s universe without a direct book adaptation. The remark suggests HBO remains committed despite the lack of a formal pickup.

Will Pennywise be in Welcome to Derry season 2?

Who will play Pennywise in season 2?

• Bill Skarsgård is confirmed to have been cast as Pennywise for Season 1 (Wikipedia), and it’s highly likely he will reprise the role in Season 2. No official announcement has been made yet.
• Given the 1935 setting, Pennywise’s antagonistic presence is central to the town’s dark history. The entity appears across multiple time periods in King’s lore.

What is Pennywise’s role in the 1935 timeline?

In the It mythos, Pennywise feeds on fear every 27 years. The 1935 timeline is one of those cycles, so viewers can expect the clown to terrorize the Bradley Gang and other residents. Reports from Dailyhunt confirm that the show’s writers are weaving Pennywise into the gangster narrative.

How many seasons of IT: Welcome to Derry will there be?

Is the series planned as a limited series or ongoing?

• Showrunners Andy and Barbara Muschietti have a three-season plan moving backward in time (Dailyhunt). Season 1 covered the 1960s; Season 2 jumps to 1935; a potential Season 3 could go back to 1908.
• No official confirmation on total season count from HBO. The structure depends on how far back the story can go while remaining compelling.

What has the showrunner said about future seasons?

Andy Muschietti’s Instagram post (2025) confirmed writing had begun on Season 2, and Dailyhunt reported that the creative team sees the story as a multi-season arc. HBO has not committed beyond Season 2, but the outline suggests at least three seasons.

What is the story of Welcome to Derry season 2?

What is the Bradley Gang?

• The Bradley Gang is a group of outlaws operating in 1930s Maine. According to Dailyhunt, casting calls are seeking actors for these characters, indicating they will be central to the plot.
• The gang’s violent crime spree draws them into Pennywise’s hunting ground, blending horror with a crime drama aesthetic.

How does the story connect to season 1?

Season 1 ended with a time travel twist that hinted at Pennywise’s cyclical appearances. Season 2 goes back to 1935, 27 years before the events of Season 1, offering a direct prequel that explains how the entity’s influence shaped Derry’s history. Wikipedia notes that the series is “moving backward in time” with each season.

“We’re taking a horror-crime blend approach — the Bradley Gang gives us a chance to explore how human evil meets supernatural evil in a period setting.”

— ScreenRant (based on early production reports)

Where can I watch Welcome to Derry season 2?

Is Welcome to Derry season 2 streaming on HBO Max?

• All episodes of Season 1 stream on HBO Max. Season 2 is expected to follow the same distribution model.
• HBO remains the exclusive network, and HBO Max (now rebranded as Max) is the streaming home.

Will it be available on Netflix?

No current deal exists between HBO and Netflix. All HBO original series are exclusive to Max in the U.S. and licensed to local partners internationally. Wikipedia lists HBO and Max as the only distribution platforms.

Timeline: What we know so far

• October 26, 2025 — Season 1 premieres on HBO (Wikipedia)
• January 2026 — Season 2 announced, pending greenlight (Wikipedia)
• March 2026 — Filming scheduled to begin in Ontario (Dailyhunt)
• Summer 2026 — Expected official greenlight announcement (Dailyhunt)
• Late 2027–early 2028 — Projected release window (Dailyhunt)

What’s confirmed — and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Season 2 is being written (Andy Muschietti, Instagram 2025, backed by Wikipedia)
• Setting is 1935, following the Bradley Gang (Dailyhunt)
• Pennywise will appear (Wikipedia)
• Creative team returning (Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs) (Dailyhunt)

What’s unclear

• Exact release date
• Number of episodes
• Full cast list (beyond Pennywise)
• Official renewal from HBO
• Whether Bill Skarsgård will reprise Pennywise

“The casting calls for 1935-era characters, including outlaws, suggest a very different tone for Season 2 — one that leans into period crime.”

— Nexuspointnews (based on production details)

“With writers from Dark, The Penguin, and Stranger Things joining the room, the season could bring a more serialized, puzzle-box approach.”

— Reddit (Television subreddit, citing unnamed sources)

The pattern is clear: HBO is taking its time, but the creative infrastructure is in place. For fans invested in the It universe, the wait for Season 2 is not a cancellation signal — it’s a sign that the showrunners are building something that can stand on its own, without relying on King’s novel for a roadmap. The decision to jump to 1935 introduces risk, but also the chance to tell a story that feels genuinely new. For anyone hoping to see Pennywise terrorize a Depression-era gang, the tea leaves point to a late 2027 premiere. Andy Muschietti’s team faces a choice: mark your calendar for a few years out, or dive into Season 1 on Max to see where it all started.

According to the latest reports, the series will explore a 1935 setting, as detailed in our Welcome to Derry season 2 guide.

Frequently asked questions