It: Welcome to Derry - Here’s how Stephen King’s involvement saved the HBO show from turning into a fiasco

Amid the growing success of It: Welcome to Derry, showrunner Jason Fuchs has highlighted Stephen King’s invaluable role in shaping the prequel series. Fuchs explained that having King involved as a creative partner provided the team with a reliable guiding force, especially when tackling major story decisions. His presence, Fuchs noted, became the “ace up their sleeve,” ensuring the show remained faithful to the tone and mythology of King’s iconic universe.



Showrunner Jason Fuchs credited Stephen King’s involvement as a major influence in guiding the team toward finally exploring the mystery of Bob Gray. Speaking to ScreenRant, Fuchs explained that having King as a creative partner made decision-making far easier when tackling such crucial elements of the story. He noted that the team could confidently approach King with ideas, asking whether a particular direction or explanation felt right, knowing they had his insight as a “safety net.” According to Fuchs, this collaboration allowed them to navigate the narrative with both excitement and caution, reassured by King’s presence as the “ace up their sleeves.”



Stephen King’s involvement made a massive difference, as it gave the author the authority to point out whenever the showrunner strayed too far from the source material or struggled to work around the original idea. So yes, the King of Horror’s involvement was crucial, and his guidance ultimately saved the series from turning into a fiasco.



It: Welcome to Derry is a prequel set in 1960s Derry, Maine, delving into the town’s sinister past long before the events of the It movies. The plot begins when a new family moves in just as a young boy vanishes, setting off a chain of eerie and disturbing incidents tied to the awakening of the evil force that will become Pennywise. As secrets unravel, the series explores the roots of Derry’s terror, blending psychological horror with new characters and storylines that deepen Stephen King’s iconic mythology.

You can stream It: Welcome to Derry on HBO.