Work on a potential second season of the horror series IT: Welcome to Derry is already underway behind the scenes, even though the network has not formally confirmed a renewal. According to co-creator and executive producer Andy Muschietti, the creative team is actively exploring ideas for a continuation following the strong reception of the first season.
During a press event tied to the Saturn Awards, Muschietti indicated that expectations for a second season are high after the show’s initial run. While he avoided revealing specific story details, he suggested the team hopes to deliver a follow-up that expands the scale and scope of the series. Development work appears to be focused on shaping a story that fits the show’s broader long-term narrative plans.
The series serves as a prequel to the film adaptations of Stephen King’s novel It, exploring earlier cycles of violence connected to the town of Derry and the entity known as Pennywise. Bill Skarsgård reprises the role of the shape-shifting clown that terrorizes the town across generations. The show focuses on different time periods in Derry’s history, examining how recurring tragedies are tied to the creature’s periodic reappearance.
Despite ongoing development, HBO leadership has emphasized that the show is not currently stalled. Casey Bloyspreviously clarified that the creators are actively working on potential story directions rather than waiting for approval to proceed. According to Bloys, the first season performed strongly enough that the network would be open to continuing the series once a clear creative plan is finalized.
Season 1 of the series achieved solid critical and audience reception. On Rotten Tomatoes the show currently holds an 80 percent critic score and an audience score slightly above that mark. It also performed well in terms of viewership, reportedly becoming one of the most successful debut seasons for a new series on HBO’s streaming platform.
Industry recognition has also followed the show’s debut. At the Saturn Awards, the series won Best Horror Television Series and earned additional nominations for performances, including guest appearances by Skarsgård and James Remar, along with nominations for younger cast members.
The creators have previously suggested that the series was designed with a multi-season narrative in mind. Early discussions have outlined a potential three-season arc that explores different historical periods in Derry. The first season is centered around events in 1962, while a second season could shift further back in time to the mid-1930s. A possible third installment would reportedly move even earlier, examining events in 1908.
Because each era represents a different cycle of Pennywise’s influence, the story structure allows the series to introduce new characters while maintaining continuity through the town’s history and the recurring presence of the creature. If the narrative does shift to the 1930s timeline, much of the younger cast from season 1 may not return, although certain established characters could still appear depending on how the story is structured.
For now, the future of the series depends largely on the development of a storyline that satisfies both the creative team and the network. With the first season establishing a foundation for exploring Derry’s darker past, a second season would likely continue examining the town’s history and the events that shaped its reputation as one of horror fiction’s most troubled fictional settings.
