Bill Skarsgård Reveals Pennywise in HBO's 'It: Welcome to Derry'

Spoilers Alert!!

Pennywise is known for dramatic entrances, and HBO's 'It: Welcome to Derry' delivers exactly that. In the fifth episode of the Stephen King-inspired prequel, Bill Skarsgård finally returns as the terrifying clown, marking one of the most anticipated moments of the season.

Titled '29 Neibolt Street,' the episode centres around the haunted house that has long served as a gateway to the entity's underground lair. The Losers' Club is shaken when Matty Clements unexpectedly appears in their secret hangout. At first, it seems he survived the brutal attack seen earlier in the season. However, the reveal quickly turns chilling when it becomes clear that this version of Matty is actually It in disguise.

Image Courtesy: Entertainment Weekly

Pennywise Introduction in 'It: Welcome to Derry'

Instead of introducing Pennywise early on, the creators chose to stretch out the suspense. Executive producer Barbara Muschietti explained that Pennywise functions like the shark in 'Jaws'—most effective when used sparingly. The team believed that too much exposure would weaken the fear factor, so delaying the full reveal allowed suspense to grow naturally over time.

Director Andy Muschietti described the approach as a carefully designed game of anticipation. The goal was to place viewers into a state of tension where they constantly expect Pennywise to appear, making the final reveal even more powerful. This slow-burn strategy mirrors classic horror storytelling and strengthens the character's impact.

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Advantages of 'It: Welcome to Derry' Series Format

Co-showrunner Jason Fuchs highlighted another advantage of the television format. Unlike the films, which had limited runtime, the series allows for deeper exploration of it's shapeshifting abilities. Viewers get to see more of the entity's alternative forms as it terrorises the town of Derry. This extended format also gives Bill Skarsgård more creative freedom to push the character into new, unexpected territory.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

According to Fuchs, the timing of Pennywise's appearance was entirely driven by story and character development, rather than fan expectations. While audiences were eager for his return, the creators wanted the narrative flow to guide when and how the clown came back.

With only three episodes left in Season 1, the intensity continues to rise. New episodes of 'It: Welcome to Derry' air every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max, building toward what promises to be a chilling finale.

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