‘Welcome to Derry’ Creators Reveal Pilot Twist Strategy
HBO Max’s new series, IT: Welcome to Derry, based on Stephen King’s iconic work, has launched with a shocking pilot episode. The show’s creators discussed the bold decision that surprised both the network and the audience.
Creators Discuss Pilot Twist Strategy
Co-creators Barbara and Andy Muschietti revealed their excitement about the pilot’s significant plot twist, which they initially feared might not make it into the series. Barbara describes the twist as their “Red Wedding,” referring to a notorious moment from another popular series, Game of Thrones.
Character Introductions and Shocking Events
- New Characters: The pilot introduces several adolescent characters: Ronnie (Amanda Christine), Lilly (Clara Stack), Teddy (Mikkal Karim-Fidler), Phil (Jack Molloy Legault), and Susie (Matilda Legault).
- Opening Scene: The story begins with the abduction of their friend Matty (Miles Ekhardt) by a supernatural family, featuring a flying mutant baby.
- Climactic Twist: By the episode’s end, Ronnie and Lilly are the only survivors after a horrifying confrontation in a dark theater.
This unexpected turn left many viewers stunned, as these characters were prominently featured in promotional materials. Andy Muschietti explained that the twist was designed to establish a sense of danger: “nothing is safe in this world.”
Behind the Scenes Insights
Co-showrunner Jason Fuchs discussed the brainstorming process that led to this twist. During their pitch, a visual element surprised the network, showcasing headshots of different child actors intended for the roles. The reaction was crucial, with the team hoping to replicate this shock for the audience.
Barbara expressed relief at HBO’s support for the twist, stating that their initial expectation was to justify the horror elements to the network. Instead, they found enthusiastic backing.
Upcoming Episodes
The next episode of IT: Welcome to Derry will premiere early on HBO Max on Halloween, October 31, at 12 AM PT/3 AM ET. It will also air on HBO on Sunday, November 2, at 9 PM ET/PT. Following this, subsequent episodes are scheduled to release weekly, leading up to the season finale on December 14.
