IT: Welcome to Derry Renewed for Season 2 at HBO — Pennywise Is Coming Back

Derry, you really should have left well enough alone. HBO has officially renewed IT: Welcome to Derry for Season 2, meaning our favorite fictional town is once again opening its doors to nightmares, secrets and one particularly terrifying clown. The renewal comes after the Stephen King-inspired series made a major impression with its first season, which ranked among the top four series premieres globally in HBO Max history.

And if you thought Season 1 took us deep into Derry's disturbing history, buckle up. Season 2 is going even further back in time. IT: Welcome to Derry expands the mythology established by Stephen King's IT and Andy Muschietti's IT films, giving viewers a closer look at the horrifying history lurking beneath the surface of Derry, Maine. The first season took viewers back to the 1960s, but Season 2 is turning the clock back to 1935, during the Great Depression. And apparently, Derry was already having a very, very bad time long before the kids we know from the IT story came along. Honestly, at this point, somebody needs to put up a giant sign at the town limits that simply says: DO NOT MOVE HERE.

HBO has confirmed that Season 2 will center around the Bradley Gang, a group of bank robbers who arrive in Derry looking to purchase ammunition and wind up encountering something far more terrifying than the police. Their story is tied to a bloody massacre in Derry, giving the new season a historical backdrop while continuing the show's exploration of the supernatural evil haunting the town.

And here's where things get especially interesting for Stephen King fans. The Bradley Gang story comes from the mythology established in King's IT, meaning the series is once again taking a piece of Derry's history and expanding it into a full television storyline. Andy and Barbara Muschietti have previously discussed their plans to dig deeper into these historical events, and now we're finally getting to see where that story goes.

Of course, there is one question hanging over all of this: Pennywise. Bill Skarsgård's terrifying take on the iconic clown became one of the biggest draws of Season 1, and the continued exploration of Derry's history means there is plenty more mythology to uncover surrounding the entity.

While HBO's renewal announcement did not provide complete casting details for Season 2, the creative team has already made it clear that the story will continue expanding the mythology surrounding Pennywise and the evil connected to Derry.

And honestly, we would be shocked if Pennywise stayed away. This is Derry we're talking about.

Season 2 will also bring a change behind the scenes. Brad Caleb Kane will serve as the sole showrunner, taking the reins as the series heads into its next chapter. Kane will also executive produce alongside Andy and Barbara Muschietti and the rest of the creative team.

HBO says the goal is to continue expanding the world created by the Muschiettis while deepening the mystery, terror and Pennywise mythology that made the first season such a conversation starter. And considering how much Season 1 had us staring at the screen like, "Wait... WHAT was that?" we're very curious to see what Season 2 has planned.

Here's the one piece of bad news for anyone already ready to return to Derry: HBO has not announced a Season 2 premiere date yet. So, unfortunately, we don't have a date to circle on the calendar just yet. What we do know is that the story is officially moving forward, and Season 2 will take viewers to 1935 for another terrifying chapter in Derry's history.

After waiting for HBO to officially give the season the green light, though, we're not about to complain.

IT: Welcome to Derry is coming back, the story is going deeper into Stephen King's terrifying mythology, and Pennywise's hometown still has plenty of secrets left to spill.

So grab your red balloons, lock your doors and maybe avoid storm drains for a while. Derry isn't done with us yet.

And honestly? We are absolutely not done with Derry.

Stay with The TV Cave for more updates on IT: Welcome to Derry Season 2, including casting news, premiere updates, trailers and everything else HBO has waiting for us.