Do you remember when Stranger Things fans convinced themselves that a secret ninth episode was on the way earlier this year? Well, although we never did get to go back to Hawkins, another beloved franchise has taken its fanbase by surprise and delivered a secret instalment, allowing fans to return back to Derry almost one year after IT: Welcome to Derry season 1 came to an end.
Without any warning, HBO randomly released the 30-minute-long bonus episode, titled 'A Story of Derry,' on Halloween. Set hundreds of years before Pennywise came to be, the new episode follows three youngsters from a Native American tribe who venture into the Western Wood where they encounter a terrifying ancient spirit. HBO Max shared a short trailer for the special on Twitter, which you can watch below.
IT's a surprise Halloween treat. Catch this never-before-seen special exploring the origins of IT in Derry. #AStoryOfDerry is streaming now on HBO Max. 🎈 https://t.co/NH3NcMLt8nOctober 31, 2026
The new episode gives us more insight into what the evil entity we know as IT actually is and why it targets Derry. However, we got a little taste of this in IT: Welcome to Derry season 1. In episode 4, after Dick Hallorann enters Taniel's mind, he learns that the Native Americans stumbled upon the entity, which they call 'Tha Gallo,' many years ago when they settled on the land. Tha Gallo murdered tribe members and would grow stronger with every kill, so the natives imprisoned it beneath a large area that would later become the town of Derry.
The special brings Dick's vision to life and reveals just how the natives caged the beast. We already know that the spirit was kept at bay by a number of pillars placed around the forest, which is why it can never leave Derry and break out into the wider world. However, the caveat is that IT wakes every 27 years and causes a catastrophic event in Derry before it sleeps again. IT: Welcome to Derry season 1 takes place in the '60s, 27 years before the first IT movie, which in turn takes place 27 years before IT: Chapter 2.
IT: Welcome to Derry season 2 is set to take us right back to the 1930s. Just as season 1 saw the monster feed on the horrific Black Spot disaster, season 2 is set around another tragic event: the Bradley Gang Massacre. Mentioned in Stephen King's 1986 novel, the event sees a band of criminals target stores and banks in Derry, which leads to a deadly shootout in the middle of town. Season 2 is currently in the pre-production stage, with Crystal Lake creator Brad Caleb Kane serving as solo showrunner this time.
It: Welcome to Derry season 2 does not yet have a release date. For more, check out our list of the best shows on HBO Max, and keep up with upcoming Stephen King movies and shows on the way.
