The special, titled "A Story of Derry," is now available for streaming and runs for approximately 30 minutes. It serves as a chilling prologue, exploring events centuries before the infamous clown Pennywise began terrorizing the children of Derry. The logline teases a journey into the "Western Wood" by three youngsters, where they encounter a "terrifying ancient spirit" long before Pennywise's reign.

HBO Max announced the surprise on its Instagram, calling it "IT’s a surprise Halloween treat" and urging viewers to "Catch this never-before-seen special exploring the origins of IT in Derry." A brief clip accompanying the announcement depicted a Native American girl, armed with a bow and arrow, navigating the ominous woods, hinting at the episode's ancient setting and primal horror.

'It: Welcome to Derry' is set to be a prequel to Andy Muschietti's hit films 'It' (2017) and 'It Chapter Two' (2019), which brought Stephen King's iconic novel to a new generation of viewers. The series itself premiered on HBO Max on October 26, 2025, laying the groundwork for the horrors to come.

Beyond this unexpected Halloween special, the future of the main series is also taking shape. Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane recently shared insights with Deadline regarding the show's anticipated second season, slated for a late 2027 or 2028 release. Kane revealed that Season 2 will transport audiences back to 1935, during the grim era of the Great Depression. The narrative will center on the bloody saga of the Bradley Gang, a group of bank robbers whose ill-fated stop in Derry for ammunition leads them to confront unspeakable horrors—an event rooted in King’s original 1986 novel.

A significant reveal for returning fans is the promise of a transformed Pennywise. While Bill Skarsgård is set to reprise his role as the malevolent entity, Kane teased that the character will be depicted in a "way you’ve never seen that character before." The creative team is currently deep into scriptwriting, with Kane confirming, "We’re about halfway through the writing of the scripts." He also affirmed that Season 2 has been greenlit, and director Andy Muschietti is actively involved in the casting process for the upcoming installment, signaling that Derry's dark tales are far from over.