The Welcome to Derry cast brings together established performers and younger actors for HBOs expansion of Stephen Kings terrifying IT universe. The series takes viewers back to Derry, Maine, decades before the events of the modern IT movies, allowing the story to explore earlier manifestations of the evil surrounding the town.
At the center of the cast is Bill Skarsgård, who returns as Pennywise after portraying the terrifying clown in Andy Muschiettis IT and IT Chapter Two. Alongside him are Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Clara Stack, Matilda Lawler, Amanda Christine, and other performers who make up the shows central ensemble.
The series is more than a simple return to familiar horror territory. Its 1962 setting gives the performers new characters, relationships, and historical circumstances to explore, while the shows mythology connects the new story to events and characters associated with Stephen Kings original novel.
If youre searching for the Welcome to Derry cast, this guide explains who the major actors are, which characters they play, how they fit into the story, and why their performances matter to the larger IT mythology.
What Is IT Welcome to Derry?
IT Welcome to Derry is a horror television series that expands the universe established by Stephen Kings IT and the two Andy Muschietti directed films. Rather than retelling the same story, the series travels back to the 1960s and explores events occurring before the first films main storyline.
The first season premiered on October 26, 2025, and consists of eight episodes. HBOs series centers on the people of Derry as disturbing events begin unfolding around the town, bringing together a largely new ensemble of characters.
The Story Behind the Series
The series was developed by Jason Fuchs, Andy Muschietti, and Barbara Muschietti, with Andy Muschietti also serving as an executive producer and director. The creative team uses the broader mythology of Kings novel to explore aspects of Derrys history that could not be fully covered in the movies.
That approach gives the Welcome to Derry cast a different challenge from the actors in the movies. Instead of simply recreating the Losers Club story, the performers have to establish new relationships while working within a world audiences already recognize.
When Is Welcome to Derry Set?
The first season is set in 1962, placing the story decades before the events audiences associate with the main IT storyline. The period setting affects everything from the characters social environment to the military and community storylines.
This historical setting is also one reason the ensemble is so important. The story isnt solely about Pennywise it follows families, children, military personnel, and other residents whose lives intersect with Derrys darker history.
Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise
Bill Skarsgård is the most recognizable name in the Welcome to Derry cast, returning as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. His performance helped establish the modern version of the character as one of contemporary horrors most recognizable villains.
Skarsgårds return is particularly significant because Pennywise is the connective tissue between Welcome to Derry and Muschiettis IT films. He previously played the character in both 2017s IT and 2019s IT Chapter Two. Current cast listings confirm him as Pennywise and an executive producer on the series.
Why Pennywise Still Matters
Pennywise is not simply another villain in the ensemble. The character represents the supernatural force connected to Derrys recurring cycles of fear, violence, and disappearance.
That means the shows other actors are often performing against an atmosphere created by Pennywise even when the clown is not physically present. This allows the series to emphasize suspense and psychological horror rather than relying exclusively on traditional jump scares.
Skarsgårds Return to the Role
Skarsgårds involvement gives the series a direct connection to the cinematic version of IT. His portrayal has become closely associated with the modern interpretation of the character, making his return one of the biggest reasons horror fans were interested in the series.
The actor is also credited as an executive producer, giving him a role in the project beyond appearing on screen.
Jovan Adepo as Leroy Hanlon
Jovan Adepo plays Major Leroy Hanlon, one of the central adult characters in the series. His storyline brings a military perspective into Derrys increasingly disturbing events.
Adepos character is also important because the Hanlon family creates a connection to the broader history of Mike Hanlon, one of the major characters in Stephen Kings IT. The series uses this family connection to expand the mythology surrounding Derry.
Leroy Hanlons Role in the Story
Leroy arrives in Derry as a U.S. Air Force major and finds himself caught up in circumstances that go far beyond an ordinary military assignment. His position places him close to the larger mystery while also creating conflict with other figures in the military hierarchy.
The character is particularly interesting because he is not simply a horror protagonist. His story also deals with family, responsibility, race, military authority, and the difficult environment of 1960s America.
Why Jovan Adepo Stands Out
Adepo brings a serious dramatic presence to the role, which helps balance the supernatural elements of the show. The characters personal and professional responsibilities give the series an emotional foundation beyond the horror mythology.
His performance is one of the reasons the series can operate as a period drama as well as a supernatural horror story.
Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon
Taylour Paige portrays Charlotte Hanlon, Leroys wife and Will Hanlons mother. Charlotte is one of the central figures in the shows family storyline.
Her character is not simply defined by her relationship to Leroy. She brings her own perspective and strength to the story, while her experiences in Derry help reveal the social and emotional tensions surrounding the family. Current cast listings identify Paige as Charlotte Hanlon throughout the first season.
Charlottes Importance
Charlottes role helps make the series feel like a story about a community rather than merely a supernatural mystery. Her family is placed inside a town with an unsettling history, forcing her to respond to threats that cannot always be explained rationally.
The character also contributes to the shows exploration of the period in which the story takes place, adding a human dimension to the larger horror narrative.
Taylour Paiges Performance
Paige brings dramatic intensity to Charlotte, particularly in scenes involving family and danger. Her presence gives the adult ensemble a strong emotional center alongside Adepos Leroy.
That dynamic is important because Welcome to Derry often moves between supernatural horror and grounded human drama.
Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann
Chris Chalk plays Dick Hallorann, a character familiar to fans of Stephen Kings larger universe. This is one of the most intriguing casting choices because Hallorann is connected to The Shining mythology.
Chalks appearance therefore expands the series beyond a narrow IT adaptation. His character provides an additional link between Kings fictional worlds and gives longtime readers and viewers another reason to pay attention to the shows mythology.
Why Hallorann Matters
Halloranns presence is especially interesting because audiences who know The Shining recognize the characters significance. The series can therefore create connections between Kings stories without requiring every viewer to know the entire mythology.
For new viewers, Hallorann remains a character within the story. For longtime Stephen King fans, however, his appearance provides another layer of continuity.
Chris Chalks Approach
Chalks performance contributes to the shows grounded adult ensemble. Rather than turning Hallorann into a simple reference to another story, the performance helps make him part of Derrys world.
This is one of the strongest examples of how the Welcome to Derry cast uses established King mythology while still building a new television narrative.
James Remar as General Francis Shaw
James Remar plays General Francis Shaw, a senior military figure whose storyline intersects with Leroy Hanlons.
Shaw represents another side of the military narrative, bringing authority and institutional pressure into the story. His motivations are connected to larger concerns beyond Derry itself, creating another layer to the shows historical setting.
Shaws Place in the Story
General Shaw is connected to the idea of a military weapon and broader Cold War concerns. This storyline gives the series an unusual combination of supernatural horror and historical thriller elements.
His presence also creates tension with Leroy, whose personal perspective does not necessarily align with the priorities of his superiors.
Why James Remar Fits the Role
Remar has extensive experience playing authoritative and complicated characters, making him a natural fit for a figure with institutional power.
His performance helps make the military storyline feel substantial rather than simply serving as background material for the supernatural plot.
Stephen Rider as Hank Grogan
Stephen Rider plays Hank Grogan, the father of Ronnie Grogan and a local projectionist. Hank is part of the adult community surrounding the young characters.
His position as a father gives him an important connection to the childrens storyline, while his work at the local cinema places him within the everyday life of Derry.
Hanks Family Connection
Hank is particularly relevant because of his daughter Ronnie. Their family becomes connected to the young people dealing with strange events in Derry.
The character helps show how the supernatural threat affects ordinary families rather than existing separately from everyday life.
Stephen Riders Contribution
Rider gives Hank a grounded presence that contrasts with some of the shows more overtly supernatural characters. This helps create a believable community around the central mystery.
That balance between normal life and horror is essential to the atmosphere of Welcome to Derry.
Clara Stack as Lilly Bainbridge
Clara Stack plays Lilly Bainbridge, one of the young central characters. Lillys storyline is tied to grief, fear, friendship, and the disturbing events taking place around Derry.
Stack is part of the shows younger ensemble, which gives the series a perspective closer to the child centered storytelling that made Kings original IT so memorable. The official cast listings identify Lilly Bainbridge as one of the principal characters across the first season.
Lillys Character
Lilly is dealing with personal trauma while also confronting increasingly frightening circumstances. Her emotional journey gives the supernatural story a personal dimension.
The characters relationships with other young people are also important because friendship becomes one of the ways the children navigate Derrys dangers.
Clara Stacks Performance
Stack has to carry some of the shows more emotionally demanding material while working within a horror story. Her performance helps prevent the younger characters from feeling like generic victims.
That is particularly important in a series where fear is often tied to personal experiences and memories.
Matilda Lawler as Marge Truman
Matilda Lawler plays Marge Truman, one of Lillys friends. Marge brings a different personality into the young ensemble and becomes part of the groups evolving relationship with Derrys supernatural dangers.
Lawler was already known for roles in projects such as Station Eleven and The Santa Clauses, making her another recognizable young performer within the ensemble.
Marges Role
Marges friendships are an important part of the shows emotional structure. Her connection with Lilly allows the series to explore how young people respond differently to fear and uncertainty.
Her character also helps create the group dynamic that gives the young cast its strength.
Why the Younger Cast Matters
The children and teenagers are not simply there to react to Pennywise. Their individual personalities, friendships, fears, and family relationships give the story its emotional foundation.
That approach reflects one of the strongest elements of Kings original work horror becomes more effective when audiences care about the people experiencing it.
Amanda Christine as Ronnie Grogan
Amanda Christine plays Ronnie Grogan, Hanks daughter and a friend of Lilly. Ronnie is another important member of the younger group.
Her relationship with Hank provides a family connection that helps tie the childrens story to the adults around them. Official cast listings identify Amanda Christine as Ronnie throughout the season.
Ronnies Place Among the Children
Ronnie becomes part of the young characters attempts to understand what is happening around them. Her friendships make her storyline feel interconnected rather than isolated.
This is one of the strengths of the ensemble approach the childrens experiences overlap, allowing different perspectives on the same disturbing events.
Amanda Christines Performance
Christine contributes to the shows emotional realism by portraying Ronnie as a character with relationships and motivations beyond the supernatural plot.
The result is a younger cast that feels like an actual group of children living in the same community rather than a collection of unrelated horror characters.
Blake Cameron James as Will Hanlon
Blake Cameron James portrays Will Hanlon, the son of Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon.
Will is particularly significant because his family connects the shows new storyline to the larger Hanlon family history associated with IT. That makes his character important beyond his immediate role in the 1962 narrative.
Wills Family Background
Wills parents are central adult characters, so his storyline naturally overlaps with the military and community narratives.
The family structure also helps show how Derrys supernatural history can affect multiple generations.
Why Will Is Important to the Larger Mythology
Fans familiar with IT may recognize the importance of the Hanlon name. The series uses that connection to deepen the sense that Derry has a history extending far beyond the events shown in the movies.
That makes Will one of the younger characters worth watching closely when considering the wider mythology.
Arian S. Cartaya as Rich Santos
Arian S. Cartaya plays Rich Santos, another member of the younger ensemble.
Richs presence contributes to the broader group dynamic and helps the series avoid reducing Derrys children to a single personality type. His relationships with the other young characters are part of the storys social fabric.
Rich and the Young Ensemble
Rich is part of the group of young people caught up in Derrys disturbing events. His inclusion adds another perspective to the childrens experience.
The ensemble approach also creates room for different reactions to fear, friendship, family pressure, and the unexplained events occurring throughout town.
Why the Group Dynamic Works
Horror often becomes more effective when characters have different ways of responding to danger. Some become skeptical, others frightened, while others try to investigate.
That variety gives the younger cast enough personality to carry scenes even when Pennywise is not present.
Madeleine Stowe as Ingrid Kersh
Madeleine Stowe plays Ingrid Kersh, one of the shows adult characters.
Stowe is a familiar face for television and film audiences, and her casting adds additional dramatic weight to the adult ensemble. Current cast records list her among the principal performers in the series.
Ingrids Connection to Derry
Ingrid is part of the series broader exploration of Derrys past and the people who have been shaped by the towns history.
Her storyline helps reinforce one of the shows central ideas Derrys problems are not limited to one generation.
Madeleine Stowes Role in the Ensemble
Stowes experience allows the character to carry scenes that require a more mature dramatic presence.
Her inclusion alongside performers such as James Remar, Chris Chalk, Jovan Adepo, and Taylour Paige gives the adult cast a strong range of acting styles.
Other Notable Welcome to Derry Cast Members
The Welcome to Derry cast extends well beyond its headline performers. The ensemble includes Peter Outerbridge as Chief Clint Bowers, Kimberly Guerrero as Rose, Joshua Odjick as Taniel, and other performers who contribute to the shows wider community.
The younger cast also includes Mikkal Karim Fidler as Teddy Uris, Jack Molloy Legault as Phil Malkin, Matilda Legault as Susie Malkin, and other characters whose stories intersect with the central events.
Peter Outerbridge and Kimberly Guerrero
Peter Outerbridge plays Chief Clint Bowers, giving the series another authority figure within Derrys community.
Kimberly Guerrero plays Rose, another character who becomes part of the shows larger web of relationships. Their roles help broaden the town beyond the central Hanlon family and younger group.
The Supporting Young Cast
Mikkal Karim Fidler, Jack Molloy Legault, Matilda Legault, and other young performers help create the wider community of children around Lilly, Marge, Ronnie, Will, and Rich.
This larger group is important because Welcome to Derry is ultimately about a town. The more convincing the ensemble feels, the more effective the series becomes when Derrys supernatural history begins affecting ordinary residents.
How the Welcome to Derry Cast Connects to IT
One of the most interesting aspects of the cast is that the series does not simply bring back every character from the movies. Instead, it uses family connections, recurring mythology, and returning actors to create continuity.
Bill Skarsgårds Pennywise is the clearest connection, but characters such as Leroy Hanlon and Dick Hallorann expand the series into different corners of Stephen Kings fictional universe.
The Hanlon Family Connection
The Hanlon family is particularly important to fans of IT. Leroys connection to Will creates a family history that reaches toward the characters audiences already know.
That allows Welcome to Derry to explore how Derrys history affects generations of residents rather than treating the events of the movies as an isolated incident.
The Dick Hallorann Connection
Chris Chalks Dick Hallorann is an especially interesting bridge to another Stephen King story. Hallorann is known from The Shining, so his presence demonstrates how the series can operate within a broader King inspired universe.
For longtime fans, these connections add extra layers to the viewing experience. New viewers can still follow the story without knowing every previous reference.
Why Is the Welcome to Derry Cast Trending?
The cast continues to attract attention because the series combines a major horror franchise with an ensemble of established and emerging performers.
The return of Bill Skarsgård is obviously a major factor, but interest also comes from the connections involving Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, and the Hanlon family. The shows links to The Shining through Dick Hallorann give Stephen King fans another reason to discuss the cast.
Pennywise Remains a Major Draw
Pennywise remains one of the strongest recognizable elements of the franchise. Skarsgårds return means audiences immediately have a familiar horror icon within a mostly new cast.
That creates a useful balance for the series viewers recognize Pennywise while discovering a completely new group of characters around him.
Fans Are Interested in the Connections
The series has generated conversation because viewers want to understand how its characters fit into established IT mythology.
Questions about the Hanlon family, Dick Hallorann, Pennywises history, and Derrys recurring tragedies naturally encourage searches for the cast and characters.
Latest Update on Welcome to Derry
The first season of IT Welcome to Derry premiered on October 26, 2025, and its eight episode run concluded on December 14, 2025. The finales cast listing includes the major performers, including Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Bill Skarsgård, Madeleine Stowe, Clara Stack, Matilda Lawler, and others.
The series has also received substantial audience attention. IMDb currently lists the show at around 7.910, based on more than 100,000 ratings in its current listing, while Rotten Tomatoes records the series as a fantasy horror production from 2025.
What the Current Cast Means for the Franchise
The first season demonstrates that the IT universe can support a story that is not centered entirely on the Losers Club. The cast allows the franchise to explore Derry through families, children, military figures, community members, and characters connected to other King stories.
That approach gives future stories room to explore different periods and characters while retaining the supernatural mythology that defines Derry.
Critical and Audience Interest
The performances have been a significant part of the conversation around the show. IMDbs current listing includes hundreds of user reviews and dozens of critic reviews, indicating substantial audience engagement with the series.
The younger cast has also attracted attention, particularly because the shows emotional weight often depends on the children rather than Pennywise alone. That balance is essential to making the horror feel personal.
Reviews and Performances in Welcome to Derry
Reviews of the series often focus on its atmosphere, period setting, mythology, and ensemble performances. The show attempts to combine supernatural horror with character driven drama, which means the cast has to carry scenes where the horror is often implied rather than immediately visible.
Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige provide a strong adult center through the Hanlon family, while Chris Chalks Hallorann offers a major connection to the broader King mythology. Bill Skarsgårds Pennywise remains the most recognizable performance, even though the story is much larger than the clown.
The Adult Cast
The adult performers give the series a grounded dramatic quality. Adepos Leroy, Paiges Charlotte, Chalks Hallorann, Remars General Shaw, and Riders Hank Grogan represent different parts of Derrys adult community.
That diversity is important because the supernatural threat becomes more believable when it affects people with different responsibilities and backgrounds.
The Younger Cast
The younger performers carry much of the emotional vulnerability associated with the IT universe. Clara Stack, Matilda Lawler, Amanda Christine, Blake Cameron James, Arian S. Cartaya, and their fellow young actors create a group whose relationships give the horror story its emotional stakes.
Their performances also help the show connect with the themes that have always made IT more than a simple monster story friendship, grief, fear, family, trauma, and the lasting effects of violence.
Conclusion
The Welcome to Derry cast is one of the biggest strengths of HBOs expansion of the IT universe. Bill Skarsgårds return as Pennywise provides the familiar face fans expect, but the series is ultimately carried by a much larger ensemble.Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige anchor the Hanlon family storyline, Chris Chalk gives longtime Stephen King fans an intriguing connection through Dick Hallorann, and James Remar and Stephen Rider strengthen the adult ensemble. At the same time, Clara Stack, Matilda Lawler, Amanda Christine, Blake Cameron James, Arian S. Cartaya, and the other younger performers bring the child centered emotional perspective that is essential to the IT mythology.What makes the cast particularly interesting is that the performers are not simply recreating the characters audiences already know. The series uses a new generation of characters to explore Derry in 1962, while connections to the Hanlon family, Pennywise, and other Stephen King stories expand the mythology.For viewers researching who is in Welcome to Derry, the answer is therefore much bigger than simply Bill Skarsgård. The show has assembled a substantial ensemble capable of supporting a story about family, friendship, military power, trauma, history, and supernatural horror.Ultimately, the cast gives Welcome to Derry the opportunity to do something the movies could not fully accomplish spend more time exploring the town itself and the people who have lived under its shadow for generations. That makes the series a significant addition to the modern IT universe and gives fans plenty of characters, performances, and connections to discuss.
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FAQs
Who is in the Welcome to Derry cast?
The principal cast includes Bill Skarsgård, Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Clara Stack, Matilda Lawler, Amanda Christine, Blake Cameron James, Arian S. Cartaya, Madeleine Stowe, Peter Outerbridge, and Kimberly Guerrero.
Who plays Pennywise in Welcome to Derry?
Bill Skarsgård plays Pennywise the Dancing Clown in IT Welcome to Derry. He previously played Pennywise in Andy Muschiettis IT and IT Chapter Two.
Who plays Leroy Hanlon in Welcome to Derry?
Jovan Adepo plays Major Leroy Hanlon, a U.S. Air Force major who arrives in Derry in the 1962 storyline.
Who plays Charlotte Hanlon?
Taylour Paige plays Charlotte Hanlon, Leroy Hanlons wife and Will Hanlons mother.
Who plays Dick Hallorann in Welcome to Derry?
Chris Chalk plays Dick Hallorann. The character is particularly notable because Hallorann is also associated with Stephen Kings The Shining universe.
Is Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise?
Yes. Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise in IT Welcome to Derry and is also credited as an executive producer.
Who plays Lilly Bainbridge?
Clara Stack plays Lilly Bainbridge, one of the young central characters in the series.
Is Welcome to Derry connected to the IT movies?
Yes. The series expands the universe established by Stephen Kings IT and Andy Muschiettis films while telling a story set earlier in Derrys history.
