Welcome to Derry season 2: everything we know so far

It: Welcome to Derry season 1 has earned strong reviews and impressive audience numbers, but the future of the HBO horror series is still not officially confirmed as the network has yet to announce Welcome to Derry season 2.

From its opening episode, the It prequel signalled that it would not play safe. Set in the early 1960s, the series presented a darker and bleaker vision of Derry than the earlier films. That tone intensified in the pilot’s closing moments when most of the main characters, many of them children, were killed off.

Despite fears that the violence could alienate mainstream viewers, the opposite has happened. HBO reported that more than 5.5 million people watched the premiere within its first three days. Packed with Stephen King references and a deeper dive into the town’s mythology, the series has emerged as both a critical and commercial success.

The buzz has only grown following Welcome to Derry episode 7, which delivered one of the most harrowing sequences of the season and renewed speculation about the show’s long-term future.

Has Welcome to Derry been renewed for season 2?

As of now, HBO has not officially renewed Welcome to Derry for a second season. While industry expectations remain optimistic, the show’s future is not guaranteed.

One key factor is cost. The series carries a substantial production budget, and its long-term narrative structure presents additional challenges. The story is designed to move backwards through time with each new chapter, meaning most of the current cast would not return even if their characters survive.

The three-season plan explained

The creators of Welcome to Derry have outlined plans for at least three seasons, each set in a different time period. Instead of unfolding chronologically, the series would travel further back into Derry’s past with each season.

Season 1 is set in the early 1960s. A potential second season would shift to 1935, while a third would move even further back to 1908. Executive producer Brad Caleb Kane has said this structure allows the show to explore Pennywise’s influence across generations, as the entity predates the town itself.

Clues supporting this timeline shift have already appeared on screen. Episode six confirmed that Ingrid Kersh has been in Derry since at least 1935, while other dialogue has referenced violent events from the same period.

What season 2 could mean for the cast

If Welcome to Derry season 2 is set in 1935, most of the current main characters would not yet exist. Figures such as Richie, Ronnie, Lily, Marge and Will would therefore be absent due to the time jump.

A handful of characters could return in younger, recast forms. These include Ingrid Kersh, Kimberly Guerrero’s character Rose and possibly a younger version of Hank Grogan. However, the majority of the ensemble would likely be replaced by an entirely new cast.

Will Bill Skarsgård return as Pennywise?

One character is expected to remain constant across all eras: Pennywise. Bill Skarsgård, who plays the shape-shifting clown, is the series’ biggest star and is widely seen as essential to its future.

Although Pennywise has appeared only briefly across the first five episodes due to his nature as a lurking presence, audience interest in Skarsgård’s return remains a major driving force behind the show’s popularity. If future seasons move forward, he is expected to continue in the role.

What happens next

For now, HBO has not given a timeline for a renewal announcement. However, with strong ratings, growing momentum after Welcome to Derry episode 7 and sustained interest in Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise, the prequel remains firmly in the spotlight.

Until an official decision is made, fans will have to wait to find out whether Welcome to Derry season 2 will bring the horrors of Derry back to an even earlier era