The upcoming It TV series, Welcome to Derry, will see the return of Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise, but he won’t appear right away – and while this has raised some concerns, they forget a key detail about the character. After making his big screen debut in Andy Muschietti’s It duology, Pennywise is returning to TV as part of the movies’ universe.
Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to the movies, taking the audience back to 1962. The show explores the tragedies that took place in Derry, Maine, back then, as It awakened once more to feed. Welcome to Derry will count on the appearance of Pennywise, and concerns about his delayed return completely forget a key detail about the character.
Pennywise Is Only One Of It’s Forms In Stephen King’s Story
In an interview with Screen Rant while promoting Welcome to Derry, executive producers Andy and Barbara Muschietti opened up about having Bill Skarsgård back as Pennywise and the challenges of bringing the terrifying clown to life one more time. Although Pennywise is a big hook for the audience, you shouldn’t expect him to pop up right away.
Barbara Muschietti shared that Pennywise has to be brought out at the right moments or it “loses its power”, and that this dosification adds to what makes him terrifying. Andy Muschietti added that it’s a slow burn, and the “buildup and anticipation is intentional” as Pennywise’s appearance is delayed.
This raised concerns about a lack of Pennywise in Welcome to Derry, but many forget that Pennywise is just one of It’s forms. It is an evil shapeshifting entity, and among its particularities is how it takes the shape of its targets’ biggest fears. As such, Pennywise is just one of many shapes it can take.
Surely, Pennywise is the most famous form It has taken, so much so that it has become the image associated with the story and character. Pennywise not appearing right away in Welcome to Derry doesn’t mean It’s presence will also be delayed, as it will surely show up in many other different shapes.
Why It: Welcome To Derry Is Better Off Not Relying On Pennywise
Pennywise’s delayed appearance in Welcome to Derry is actually good for the show. The previous adaptations of Stephen King’s novel – the 1990 miniseries and Muschietti’s movies – had Pennywise as the main antagonist, even though it also featured other forms of the mysterious entity.
As clowns are a common fear and Pennywise is truly terrifying, it’s not surprising that it has become It’s most memorable shape and the one that works best in adaptations. However, Pennywise is now one of the most famous horror villains, and while it’s exciting to see him again, the show risks feeling repetitive.
It’s a lot more beneficial for Welcome to Derry to give space and time to other forms of It, and through this, it will be a lot easier to expand the backstory of Derry, It, and all the characters who encountered the creature at some point.
- Release Date
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October 26, 2025
- Network
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HBO
- Directors
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Andy Muschietti
