IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 1 Recap – Pennywise’s Terrifying Return

Premiere of HBO's IT: Welcome to Derry on October 26, 2025, brought viewers back to the troubled town of Derry, Maine, and the first episode showcases how the town of Derry was steeped in terror long before the arrival of Pennywise through the introduction of new characters, the resurfacing of dark secrets, and an unexpected twist that sets the tone for the whole series.

IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 1 Overview

The episode opens with a return to Derry, Maine -- a quaint and innocent town, but a town which harbors dark secrets. Underneath the friendly faces, calm streets, and unassuming town is the feeling that evil is stirring once again.The narrative draws us slowly into its ominous world, mixing a nostalgia for the IT story with serious darker themes and an emotional emotional connection. The show sets itself up without bombarding us with scares, but instead drawing us in suspense through smaller details, eerily quiet scenes, and growing awareness that something is definitely wrong in Derry.

The Children Behind the Horror in Derry

The saga opens with a group of children who unconsciously walk into Derry’s shadowy secret.

• Matty (Miles Eckhardt) is a troubled boy who disappears mysteriously after he experiences an upsetting event.
• Teddy (Mikkal Karim-Fidler) and Fred (Jack Molloy Legault) try to think through strange events happening around them.
• Lilly (Clara Stack), grieving after losing her dad, becomes aware of unnatural happenings that other people can not see.

The children's stories converge in a shocking episode in the local movie theater — one of the more intense scenes of the entire episode. What begins as a normal showing quickly turns into a nightmare full of screams, blood, and madness, and verifies that the evil in Derry has returned.

Major Leroy Hanlon’s Storyline in Welcome to Derry

Parallel to the children's story, we are shown Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo), a military officer recently assigned to a base nearby Derry. Major Hanlon and his wife Charlotte Hanlon (Taylour Paige) enter Derry, which fits into its own type of darkness — small town racism, secrecy, and a feeling of something is watching.

Dark Secrets and Rising Fear

The episode develops suspense at a gradual pace to connect the experiences of the children with the town’s hidden past. Strange noises start to resonate throughout homes, objects appear to move on their own, and whispers speak of evil residing under Derry. Despite his occasional appearances, Pennywise is hyper present everywhere – in the shadows, in the fear, and in the silence that always follows a scream.

Also Read: IT: Welcome to Derry – Global Timings & Full Release Schedule Revealed

The Beginning of Pennywise's Return

While Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) doesn’t appear in full form during the premiere, his shadow looms over every scene. The voices, disappearances, and unexplained terror all point to his awakening. The episode cleverly teases his return without revealing too much, setting the stage for the terrifying episodes ahead

What to Expect in Episode 2

The second episode will most likely further examine the aftermath of the theatre tragedy and how the remaining kids of that night are processing what occurred. We may also get more insight into Major Hanlon’s history and see Pennywise revealed in his full form for the first time. Fans hope to learn more dark secrets pertaining to past Derry histories, including events like the fire at the Black Spot referenced in the novel.

Final Verdict – A Haunting Opening Episode to Welcome to Derry

Episode 1 of IT: Welcome to Derry provides an unsettling and terrifying prequel episode to the new series. It balances sublime storytelling, tension that takes its time to expand in scope, and horror, in addition to pushing the world of Stephen King into territory. With its atmospheric visuals, powerful performances, and deeply unsettling tone, Welcome to Derry Episode 1 proves that the legend of Pennywise is far from over and the nightmare has only just begun.