Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Welcome to Derry Creators Discuss Pennywise's Scares and Prequel's Strategy
The creators of the new 'IT: Welcome to Derry' show decided to not show the scary clown, Pennywise, right away.
They wanted to make him even scarier by making us wait.
In the third episode, it looks like Pennywise might be in a dark crypt, but the characters aren't totally sure.
The creators think it is him, and they want viewers to think so too, but they are keeping a little mystery.
This show is set in 1962, a time when there was a lot of racism in America.
The show also explores why Pennywise keeps coming back to this town and why he likes to look like a clown.
The creators are fans of Stephen King's original stories and want to answer some big questions.
They are also using the show to talk about scary real-world problems like racism, which affected families in Derry.
The creators of 'IT: Welcome to Derry' are intentionally withholding Pennywise's full appearance to increase fear and combat audience desensitization.
Episode 3 features a cryptic appearance of a Pennywise-like creature in a crypt, with showrunners confirming it is intended to be Pennywise but maintaining some ambiguity.
The series explores other horrific manifestations of IT in Pennywise's absence, including a demon baby and a lampshade made of human faces.
The prequel is set in 1962 Derry, Maine, and addresses themes of racism and societal issues prevalent during that era.
Creators aim to answer questions about why IT chooses the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown and why it remains in Derry.
- Who
- Co-showrunners and executive producers Brad Caleb Kane and Jason Fuchs, actors Blake Cameron James, Clara Stack, Amanda Christine, Arian S. Cartaya, Stephen Rider, Chris Chalk, and characters.
- What
- Discussion on the creative strategy behind withholding the full appearance of Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the prequel series 'IT: Welcome to Derry,' and the implications of his hinted presence in Episode 3.
- When
- The events of Episode 3 take place in 1962. The discussion is current, referencing the release of Episode 3.
- Where
- Derry, Maine (setting for the series); HBO and HBO Max (platforms for the series).
- Why
- To make Pennywise scarier, address audience desensitization, explore deeper questions about IT's nature and motivations, and highlight societal issues like racism within the narrative.
Creators' Stated Intent
Audience Interpretation
Pennywise's Appearance in Episode 3
Creators' Stated Intent
Co-showrunners cryptically tease the figure in the crypt, with one stating 'I don’t know. We think it is…' but later confirming, 'It is absolutely Pennywise. That’s what I’m going to say to your viewers, and they should go in thinking that.'
Audience Interpretation
The audience sees a shadowy figure in a crypt that looks familiar, and the children question 'What is that?' with one replying, 'it’s a clown.' This creates anticipation for Pennywise's eventual full reveal.
The Strategy of Withholding Pennywise
Creators' Stated Intent
The creators strategically withheld Pennywise to make him scarier again and to avoid audience desensitization, as Pennywise has become a pop culture figure.
Audience Interpretation
By not showing Pennywise immediately, the series builds anticipation and allows for other horrific manifestations of IT to be explored, such as the demon baby and the lampshade.
- Show
- IT: Welcome to Derry
- Platform
- HBO and HBO Max
- Episode 3 Release Date
- November 9
- Episode 3 Appearance
- A Pennywise-like creature appears in a crypt in Episode 3.
- Setting
- 1962 Derry, Maine
- Themes Explored
- Racism, societal fractures, and the nature of the supernatural entity IT.
- Total Episodes
- 8
