Wondering how many episodes are in Welcome to Derry? Here’s the full breakdown of Season 1, including release dates, streaming info, and finale details.
If you’re looking for how many episodes of Welcome to Derry, this comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know in one place — from the total episode count to the U.S. release schedule, streaming platforms, cast, plot overview, runtime, and deeper insights into its connection with the IT universe.
The answer is straightforward and crucial for fans planning to dive into this terrifying new chapter of the Stephen King multiverse.
Season 1 of Welcome to Derry consists of 8 episodes in total.
This limited horror drama prequel from HBO expands the world of Stephen King’s IT, offering fans an intense journey into the dark past of Derry, Maine — long before the Losers’ Club’s battle with Pennywise. Set in the 1960s, Welcome to Derry explores how the evil that haunts the small town first took root and the origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
The series is developed by Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, the visionary siblings behind IT (2017) and IT: Chapter Two (2019), alongside writer Jason Fuchs. Their creative approach ensures continuity with the cinematic world while delivering new layers of mystery, fear, and character-driven storytelling.
How Many Episodes Are in Welcome to Derry Season 1? (Complete Episode Count and Format)
Season 1 includes a total of eight episodes.
HBO’s eight-episode structure follows the successful storytelling format of many of its prestige series. The tightly written arc allows for deep narrative exploration without unnecessary filler. Each episode moves the story forward, unraveling both Derry’s history and the psychological terror that has defined it for generations.
Each episode’s pacing, atmosphere, and character focus are carefully designed to build tension gradually, immersing viewers in a creeping sense of dread that intensifies as the series progresses. Through its eight installments, Welcome to Derry aims to blend emotional storytelling with classic horror, capturing the essence of Stephen King’s universe while expanding upon it.
Welcome to Derry Episode Release Schedule in the U.S. (HBO and Max Timeline)
For viewers in the United States, Welcome to Derry airs exclusively on HBO and streams on Max, following HBO’s traditional Sunday night release schedule. The show’s rollout gives audiences time to absorb each episode’s mysteries before the next chapter arrives.
| Episode | U.S. Release Date | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Sunday, October 26 | HBO & Max |
| Episode 2 | Friday, October 31 (Early Release on Max) / Sunday, November 2 (HBO Premiere) | Max + HBO |
| Episode 3 | Sunday, November 9 | HBO & Max |
| Episode 4 | Sunday, November 16 | HBO & Max |
| Episode 5 | Sunday, November 23 | HBO & Max |
| Episode 6 | Sunday, November 30 | HBO & Max |
| Episode 7 | Sunday, December 7 | HBO & Max |
| Episode 8 (Finale) | Sunday, December 14 | HBO & Max |
Season Finale and Viewing Plan
The season finale of Welcome to Derry airs on December 14, 2025, marking the conclusion of Season 1’s terrifying storyline. Each episode builds toward the emergence of Pennywise, and the finale is expected to tie directly into the events leading to IT (2017). This gradual reveal ensures that the mythology behind Derry’s supernatural curse is fully explored by the end of the season.
Welcome to Derry Episode Synopses (Episodes 1 and 2 Recap)
Episode 1 — The Shadows of Derry Begin
The series begins by inviting viewers into early 1960s Derry, a town that masks decades of darkness with small-town charm. On the surface, life appears peaceful — kids ride their bikes, families crowd local shops, and the community thrives in a world untouched by modern chaos. But beneath this quiet exterior, unsettling patterns start slipping through the cracks. Disappearances, eerie sounds, and moving shadows suggest something inhuman is awakening.
The episode sets the tone with a blend of nostalgia and dread, showing how Derry’s history is tangled with fear. Through atmospheric storytelling, it introduces the key characters whose paths will eventually lead them into the town’s hidden nightmare.
Moments of growing unease — flickering lights, sudden whispers, and fleeting glimpses of something monstrous — hint that an ancient force is waking. By the final scene, the feeling that Derry is haunted by more than bad luck becomes undeniable, as the first hints of Pennywise’s presence seep into the edges of the story.
Episode 2 — The Awakening Beneath
The tension deepens as Episode 2 reveals how quickly normalcy begins to crumble once Derry’s dormant evil stirs. Residents experience strange visions, unexplained noises, and chilling encounters that suggest something beneath the surface is reaching upward. What started as subtle disturbances becomes a cascade of intense events that push characters to question whether these horrors are coincidences — or signs of an intentional, ancient presence.
This episode expands the story’s scope by diving into Derry’s troubled roots. It connects present-day terror to the town’s founding families, revealing that fear and tragedy have shaped Derry for generations. Old clippings, whispered legends, and buried memories begin to show a town built on secrets.
Released on Halloween, the episode embraces a slow-burn horror style, leaning into atmosphere and tension. The unsettling unraveling leaves viewers questioning the true nature of the evil rising — and how it ties to the entity that will become Pennywise.
Episode 3 — Now You See It
Episode 3 shifts the story from passive dread to active investigation as the teens decide to uncover the truth themselves. Motivated by the horrors around them, they head into the town’s old cemetery, a place long tied to Derry’s tragic past. What begins as a mission to capture photographic proof spirals into a chilling encounter full of shifting shadows, ghostly voices, and unnerving visions.
Their discovery of a photograph showing a faint clown-like figure marks a major turning point. It’s the first physical clue that the evil haunting Derry has a recognizable form — one born from fear.
Meanwhile, Dick Hallorann’s psychic visions provide a deeper supernatural angle. His glimpses into the past show how the entity’s influence stretches far beyond their current timeline, hinting at cycles of terror woven through Derry’s history.
Episode 3 enriches the series’ mythology, strengthens its emotional stakes, and signals that the teens are facing something far beyond normal understanding.
Episode 4 — The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet’s Function
Episode 4 intensifies the psychological pressure as fear spreads through Derry. When the teens attempt to show their evidence to adults, it mysteriously changes or disappears, deepening their isolation. Hallucinations grow more violent and unpredictable, affecting not only the teens but also other townspeople in sudden and terrifying ways.
One of the episode’s most disturbing sequences involves a student trapped inside a vivid, horrifying hallucination, illustrating how the entity manipulates trauma to unleash chaos. Meanwhile, Will Hanlon’s vision of his own fiery fate adds emotional weight and hints that the entity chooses its targets intentionally.
On the adult side, Hallorann’s psychic journey reveals fragments of the creature’s ancient origin, offering rare insight into how it arrived in Derry and why it feeds so relentlessly on fear.
Episode 4 blends cosmic horror, psychological terror, and human vulnerability, tying Derry’s buried past to the escalating danger now spreading through the town.
What Is Welcome to Derry About? (Complete Plot Overview and Storyline Details)
Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to Stephen King’s IT, designed to expand the mythology behind the infamous town and its demonic entity. The show delves into the origins of Pennywise, exploring how the evil force that feeds on fear found its host.
The narrative takes inspiration from the interlude chapters of Stephen King’s original novel, which recount Derry’s dark history through the eyes of Mike Hanlon, one of the Losers’ Club members. By drawing from these historical accounts, the series presents a nonlinear narrative — moving backward in time to uncover how the terror began.
The Muschiettis have described the show as a “story told backward,” meaning that audiences will gradually move closer to the moment Pennywise takes shape. This storytelling approach adds mystery and allows each episode to reveal a different layer of Derry’s haunted legacy. Expect moments of psychological horror intertwined with social commentary reflective of the 1960s setting.
Who Stars in Welcome to Derry? (Full Cast and Character Insights)
The ensemble cast of Welcome to Derry brings a blend of fresh faces and familiar talent, ensuring emotional depth and tension throughout the series.
- Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, returning to embody the terrifying villain with unmatched intensity.
- Chris Chalk portrays a Derry resident drawn into the unfolding nightmare, representing the human struggle against evil.
- Jovan Adepo delivers a powerful performance as a man investigating the strange events that plague the town.
- Taylour Paige brings emotional weight to her role, capturing the despair and confusion of those ensnared by Derry’s secrets.
James Remar, Madeleine Stowe, Stephen Rider, Rudy Mancuso, Blake Cameron James, Amanda Christine, Matilda Lawler, Arian S. Cartaya, and Clara Stack round out the cast, each playing pivotal roles in uncovering Derry’s mysteries.
Together, the cast creates a layered portrayal of a town living under the shadow of an unspeakable evil. The performances evoke empathy and fear, grounding the supernatural horror in deeply human experiences.
Where to Watch Welcome to Derry in the U.S. (Streaming and Broadcast Platforms)
Streaming on HBO and Max
U.S. viewers can watch Welcome to Derry on HBO every Sunday at 9 PM ET, or stream it on Max shortly after its broadcast premiere. The series is available in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Atmos support, ensuring a cinematic viewing experience at home. Subscribers can also access behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, and exclusive featurettes that explore the making of the show.
This dual-release model ensures accessibility for both traditional cable viewers and streaming audiences, a strategy that has proven successful for HBO’s top titles like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us.
How Long Is Welcome to Derry? (Episode Runtime and Total Duration)
Each episode of Welcome to Derry runs between 50 to 60 minutes, maintaining HBO’s signature cinematic pacing. This extended runtime allows for detailed character exploration, slow-building suspense, and expansive world-building.
In total, the first season offers approximately eight hours of horror storytelling, making it ideal for binge-watching or weekly viewing. The show’s pacing mirrors the unsettling rhythms of IT, balancing emotional depth with escalating terror.
The runtime provides enough scope for:
- Deep dives into Derry’s historical lore
- Exploration of key characters’ personal traumas
- Gradual buildup of supernatural tension
- Complex connections between events of the past and the birth of Pennywise
FAQs About Welcome to Derry
How many episodes are in Welcome to Derry Season 1?
There are 8 episodes in total.
Is Welcome to Derry a prequel to IT?
Yes, the series explores the origins of Pennywise and the dark history of Derry.
When does Welcome to Derry Season 1 end?
The season finale airs on December 14, 2025, exclusively on HBO and Max.
Where can I watch Welcome to Derry in the U.S.?
You can watch the series on HBO or stream it on Max.
Who is in the cast?
The cast includes Bill Skarsgård, Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, Madeleine Stowe, and others.
What is the runtime per episode?
Each episode runs approximately 50 to 60 minutes, consistent with HBO’s standard.
Final Thoughts on Welcome to Derry
With its eight-episode format, psychological depth, and faithful connection to Stephen King’s universe, Welcome to Derry stands as one of HBO’s most chilling and ambitious projects to date. The show succeeds in expanding the IT mythology, providing new insights into how fear takes form and how Derry itself became cursed.
For fans of the IT films, this series offers an essential exploration of the world’s most infamous clown and the evil that preys on human vulnerability. Every episode is crafted to immerse audiences in the tension, emotion, and dark legacy of Stephen King’s universe.
As the finale approaches, Welcome to Derry continues to captivate viewers with its layered storytelling, emotional realism, and haunting visuals. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the IT saga or a newcomer to King’s horror world, this series delivers an unforgettable, spine-tingling experience — and it’s only just the beginning of Derry’s dark tale.
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