Welcome to Derry Season 2: Status

I keep coming back to this show's situation because it's such an unusual case: a season that broke ratings records, earned real critical praise, picked up two Emmy nominations, and still, months after its finale, hasn't received a formal renewal from HBO. That's not normal, and digging into why has been more interesting than I expected.

Just how well did Season 1 actually do?

Remarkable numbers. The premiere landed as the third most-watched debut in HBO history, trailing only House of the Dragon and The Last of Us, and the finale pulled a series-high 6.5 million U.S. viewers across HBO and HBO Max, with the season averaging nearly 20 million viewers globally. Those are the kind of numbers that usually get an instant renewal announcement, not months of silence.

So why hasn't it been renewed yet?

The honest answer, straight from HBO's own comments, is that this isn't stalled or in trouble, it's deliberately taking its time. Unlike the original IT films, which adapted Stephen King's existing novel, Welcome to Derry is telling a mostly original story, and HBO CEO Casey Bloys has been direct that the creative team needs the scripts actually finished before committing to a production timeline. One anonymous comment I found buried in a comment section claimed the original Season 2 showrunners were let go and creative work had to restart from scratch, which, if accurate, would explain a lot of the delay on its own.

What's actually planned for Season 2, story-wise?

This is where the show's ambition really shows. Co-creator Andy Muschietti has laid out a backward-moving structure: Season 1 was set in 1962, Season 2 will jump back to 1935 to cover the Bradley Gang Massacre, and a planned Season 3 would go all the way back to 1908. Muschietti described the 1935 story to Deadline with real enthusiasm, calling it "so much fun" to write, centered on a gang of bank robbers who stop in Derry for ammunition and run into something horrible.

Is Bill Skarsgård actually coming back?

Yes, confirmed, Pennywise returns, which makes sense given the entire premise revolves around the entity's 27-year feeding cycle. That's honestly the one piece of information that hasn't wavered through all the renewal uncertainty.

When will we actually see it?

Given the extensive production requirements, Season 1 alone needed roughly 237 days of filming plus nearly a year of post-production, industry estimates are now pointing toward a premiere sometime in late 2027 or early 2028. That's a long wait for a show this popular, and I think it's a real test of how patient this fanbase is willing to be.

Is the delay actually a bad sign?

I don't think so, honestly. HBO has been consistent in saying they want the scripts right before committing to production, and given how strong Season 1 landed critically, I'd rather they take the time than rush something out to capitalize on the hype and end up with a weaker season. Patience is frustrating, but it's usually the right call.

Frequently asked questions

Has IT: Welcome to Derry been officially renewed for Season 2? Not as of this writing, though HBO has signaled strong intent and confirmed active script development.

When will Welcome to Derry Season 2 release? No confirmed date, but industry estimates point to late 2027 or early 2028 given the show's production timeline.

Is Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise? Yes, confirmed for the eventual Season 2.

What time period will Season 2 be set in? 1935, focused on the Bradley Gang Massacre, 27 years before Season 1's 1962 setting.

Want something else to watch while you wait?

Our series recommendation quiz can help you find something with a similarly unsettling mood in the meantime.