The Confirmed Premiere: When Did 'IT: Welcome To Derry' Episode 1 Air On Max? (Full 2025 Schedule)
The long-awaited prequel to the modern *It* film saga, *It: Welcome to Derry*, has officially premiered, plunging viewers back into the dark, cursed history of Derry, Maine. As of today, December 22, 2025, the entire first season is available to stream, having delivered eight chilling episodes that explore the sinister forces at play before the Losers' Club ever faced Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
The series, developed by the creative team behind the blockbuster films, has captivated audiences by finally revealing the terrifying events and town secrets that paved the way for the demonic entity's 27-year cycles of terror. The confirmed first episode date and the full 2025 schedule are essential for any fan looking to binge the new chapter in the Stephen King universe.
The Confirmed 'It: Welcome to Derry' First Episode Date and Full 2025 Release Schedule
The supernatural horror series It: Welcome to Derry officially premiered on Sunday, October 26, 2025, on HBO and the streaming platform Max. [cite: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 from step 1] This date marked the beginning of an eight-episode journey into the town's chilling past, setting the stage for the narrative that would eventually lead to the events of *It Chapter One* and *It Chapter Two*.
The first episode, aptly titled "The Pilot," was released at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT, with subsequent episodes following a weekly release pattern every Sunday. [cite: 3, 6 from step 1] This schedule allowed fans to experience the mystery and terror of the prequel series over two full months, concluding in December 2025.
Here is the full confirmed release schedule for the first season of *It: Welcome to Derry*:
- Episode 1: "The Pilot" — Premiered Sunday, October 26, 2025 [cite: 1, 4, 10 from step 1]
- Episode 2: "The Thing in the Dark" — Premiered Sunday, November 2, 2025 [cite: 1, 4 from step 1]
- Episode 3: [Title Not Always Public] — Premiered Sunday, November 9, 2025
- Episode 4: [Title Not Always Public] — Premiered Sunday, November 16, 2025
- Episode 5: "Neibolt Street" — Premiered Sunday, November 23, 2025 [cite: 10 from step 1]
- Episode 6: "In the Name of the Father" — Premiered Sunday, November 30, 2025 [cite: 10 from step 1]
- Episode 7: [Title Not Always Public] — Premiered Sunday, December 7, 2025
- Episode 8: [Season Finale] — Premiered Sunday, December 14, 2025
The series, which consists of eight episodes in total, was developed by Andy Muschietti, who directed both *It* films, along with his sister Barbara Muschietti and writer Jason Fuchs. [cite: 7, 9 from step 2] This trio ensured the prequel maintained the visual style and terrifying tone established in the movies, providing a seamless expansion of the cinematic universe.
The Cast and Characters: Who Inhabits Derry in 1962?
Unlike the *It* films, which focused on the Losers' Club, *Welcome to Derry* introduces a new ensemble of characters whose lives are tragically intertwined with the town's history of violence and the malevolent presence of Pennywise. The show acts as a deep dive into the 1960s, a crucial period in Derry's timeline.
The main cast and their respective roles are:
- Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon: One of the central figures navigating the terror in Derry. [cite: 1, 4, 5, 6 from step 2]
- Jovan Adepo as Leroy Hanlon: Charlotte's counterpart, whose connection to the town's history is pivotal. [cite: 1, 4, 5, 6 from step 2]
- Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann: A significant entity in the Stephen King universe, Dick Hallorann is a character who appeared in *The Shining*. His presence in Derry suggests a much deeper connection between the various supernatural elements in King's works. [cite: 1, 5 from step 2]
- James Remar as General Shaw: A character likely involved in the military or governmental presence in the town. [cite: 4 from step 2]
- Stephen Rider as Hank: Another key adult figure in the series. [cite: 4 from step 2]
- Matilda Lawler, Clara Stack (as Lilly), Arian S. Cartaya, and Miles Ekhardt: Young actors who play the new generation of children facing the horror. [cite: 2, 5 from step 2]
The inclusion of Dick Hallorann is one of the most exciting aspects for long-time Stephen King fans, as it provides an unprecedented narrative bridge between the world of *It* and the world of *The Shining* and its sequel, *Doctor Sleep*. This cross-universe connection elevates the series beyond a simple prequel, establishing a wider, more cohesive King-verse on screen.
The 1962 Timeline and Pennywise's Dark Origins
The most fascinating aspect of *It: Welcome to Derry* is its distinct timeline. The majority of the first season is set in 1962, exactly 27 years before the events of the first *It* film (which was set in 1989). [cite: 3, 13 from step 2] This setting is not arbitrary; the 27-year cycle is a core element of Pennywise's mythology, representing the period between the creature's feeding and hibernation.
By placing the story in the early 1960s, the series is able to explore the social and historical context of Derry that contributes to its darkness. The plot is heavily centered around the escalating racial tensions and the dark town history that culminates in the fire at the Black Spot—a notorious, tragic event briefly mentioned in the original novel and films. [cite: 11, 14 from step 2] The Black Spot was a black-owned nightclub and army barracks that was burned down by a racist mob in 1930, but the series appears to be using the 1962 setting to explore the lead-up to or the direct aftermath of a similar racially charged tragedy, showing how Pennywise exploits and feeds on human hatred and fear.
Co-showrunners Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane have been clear that the series aims to explore the deep-seated trauma and generational fear that makes Derry such fertile ground for the entity known as It. [cite: 9, 10 from step 2] This approach allows the show to function as both a terrifying horror story and a sharp commentary on American history.
Connecting the Prequel to the Losers' Club
While the new cast anchors the 1962 storyline, the showrunners have confirmed that the events of *Welcome to Derry* directly influence the lives of the Losers' Club members—Bill, Beverly, Richie, Eddie, Mike, Ben, and Stan—when they grow up. The series provides crucial context for Mike Hanlon's deep dive into the town's history in *It Chapter Two*.
The show is not just about Pennywise's origin, but about the town's complicity and the way its inhabitants allow the terror to flourish. By focusing on the Hanlon family and the inclusion of Dick Hallorann, the series expands the lore dramatically, suggesting that the fight against It is a multi-generational, perhaps even multi-universal, struggle. Fans are now speculating that a potential Season 2 might jump to an even earlier timeline, possibly 1935, to explore different periods of the creature's activity, as hinted at in the Season 1 finale. [cite: 11, 14 from step 2]
With the entire first season now available on Max, fans can finally witness the terrifying events of 1962 and understand the full scope of the evil that has plagued Derry, Maine, for centuries. The confirmed first episode date and subsequent weekly releases in late 2025 have cemented *It: Welcome to Derry* as the essential next chapter in the *It* saga.
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