HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry has officially unveiled its ensemble cast, setting the stage for a chilling expansion of Stephen King’s horror universe. Premiering on October 26, 2025, the series serves as a prequel to the It films, delving into the sinister origins of Pennywise and the haunted town of Derry, Maine.
Main Cast and Characters
- Taylour Paige stars as Charlotte Hanlon, an activist and wife to Leroy Hanlon .
- Jovan Adepo portrays Leroy Hanlon, a U.S. Air Force Major and grandfather of Mike Hanlon .
- James Remar appears as General Shaw, Leroy’s superior officer with a secretive agenda .
- Stephen Rider plays Hank Grogan, the local cinema projectionist and father to Ronnie .
- Clara Stack is Lilly Bainbridge, a young girl grappling with loss and guilt .
- Amanda Christine takes on the role of Veronica “Ronnie” Grogan, Hank’s daughter and Lilly’s friend .
- Matilda Lawler plays Marge Truman, Lilly’s friend who fears losing her social standing .
- Blake Cameron James portrays Will Hanlon, the Hanlons’ son .
- Arian S. Cartaya, Miles Ekhardt, Mikkal Karim‑Fidler, Jack Molloy Legault, and Matilda Legault round out the youthful ensemble as Rich, Matty Clements, Teddy Uris, Phil Malkin, and Susie Malkin respectively .
Pennywise Returns
Bill Skarsgård reprises his iconic role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, also serving as an executive producer on the series .
Additional Cast Highlights
- Chris Chalk joins as Dick Hallorann, the psychic chef from The Shining, marking a notable crossover within Stephen King’s universe .
- Madeleine Stowe appears in a recurring role, though her character remains unnamed .
- Rudy Mancuso also features in a recurring capacity .
- A host of additional actors—including Peter Outerbridge, Alixandra Fuchs, Kimberly Guerrero, Dorian Grey, Thomas Mitchell, BJ Harrison, Shane Marriott, Chad Rook, Joshua Odjick, and Morningstar Angeline—have been confirmed in supporting roles .
Context and Significance
The casting choices reflect a deliberate blend of established talent and emerging actors, grounding the prequel in both emotional depth and genre familiarity. The inclusion of Dick Hallorann, portrayed by Chris Chalk, is particularly significant—it not only connects Welcome to Derry to The Shining but also enriches the broader Stephen King multiverse .
Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise ensures continuity with the It films, while the ensemble of child actors—Clara Stack, Matilda Lawler, Arian S. Cartaya, and others—promises a fresh perspective on the terror that has haunted Derry for generations .
Summary Table
| Actor | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taylour Paige | Charlotte Hanlon | Activist, Leroy’s wife |
| Jovan Adepo | Leroy Hanlon | Air Force Major, Mike Hanlon’s grandfather |
| James Remar | General Shaw | Military superior with hidden motives |
| Stephen Rider | Hank Grogan | Cinema projectionist, Ronnie’s father |
| Clara Stack | Lilly Bainbridge | Young girl coping with trauma |
| Amanda Christine | Ronnie Grogan | Lilly’s friend, Hank’s daughter |
| Matilda Lawler | Marge Truman | Lilly’s friend, socially anxious |
| Blake Cameron James | Will Hanlon | Son of the Hanlons |
| Arian S. Cartaya | Rich | Youth ensemble member |
| Miles Ekhardt | Matty Clements | Youth ensemble member |
| Mikkal Karim‑Fidler | Teddy Uris | Youth ensemble member |
| Jack Molloy Legault | Phil Malkin | Youth ensemble member |
| Matilda Legault | Susie Malkin | Youth ensemble member |
| Bill Skarsgård | Pennywise | Iconic villain, executive producer |
| Chris Chalk | Dick Hallorann | Psychic chef, The Shining crossover |
| Madeleine Stowe | Unnamed | Recurring role |
| Rudy Mancuso | Unnamed | Recurring role |
| Others (e.g., Outerbridge, Fuchs, Guerrero, etc.) | Various supporting roles | Ensemble expansion |
With its premiere just months away, It: Welcome to Derry promises to deepen the mythology of Derry while introducing new characters and connections that enrich Stephen King’s cinematic and literary universe.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of character arcs, episode summaries, or how the cast’s performances have been received so far!
