HBO has released a surprise 30-minute episode of It: Welcome to Derry, titled "A Story of Derry," to celebrate Halloween. The standalone episode is available now on HBO Max and takes place hundreds of years before the events of the first season, delving into the ancient origins of the malevolent entity.
The official description for "A Story of Derry" states: "Hundreds of years before Pennywise, three youngsters venture into the Western Wood…where they encounter a terrifying ancient spirit."
The surprise drop comes as a treat for fans, especially after previous speculation about a potential bonus episode was met with skepticism. Despite the short runtime, the episode offers new content for fans of the series, which has already been greenlit for a second season. While Season 1 was set during the Cold War and Season 2 is expected to cover events from 1935, "A Story of Derry" pushes the timeline back further than any previous installment.
The episode was directed by Tazbah Chavez and written by Welcome to Derry producers Cherie Dimaline and Jasmyne Flournoy. The surprise release adds to the lore of Stephen King's universe, with Season 1 having received an 8/10 for its premiere and a 7/10 for its finale from IGN.