Bill Skarsgård's Journey with Pennywise: From Hesitation to Enthusiasm
The iconic role of Pennywise in the IT franchise took an unexpected turn when Bill Skarsgård initially hesitated to return for the HBO series, IT: Welcome to Derry. In an interview with Screen Rant, Skarsgård revealed his concerns about the potential for over-exhausting the character in a TV show, fearing it might not match the success of the previous films.
However, the actor's perspective shifted when he learned about the series' plan. Skarsgård was drawn to the idea of exploring new dimensions of Pennywise, stating, 'I feel that, in the end, we explored some parts of Pennywise that we hadn't seen before or hadn't done.'
Working with director Andy Muschietti, Skarsgård found joy in the process, particularly in the juicy scenes that revealed different facets of Pennywise. He enjoyed the challenge of portraying the character's complexity, saying, 'I had fun with those scenes, for sure.'
Despite his initial hesitation, Skarsgård's experience on the set was ultimately positive. He noted, 'I was more hesitant about it going into it than going out of it,' and expressed his enjoyment, 'a lot of fun' during the shooting of the series.
IT: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to the IT films, delving into the origins of the shape-shifting entity Pennywise the Clown, set in 1962. The series is directed by Andy Muschietti, who also developed it with Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs. The cast features a talented ensemble, including Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, and many more.
Critics have praised the series, with Bloody Disgusting ranking it as one of the 10 Best Horror Television Series of 2025. The first season is now streaming on HBO Max and will be available on physical media on May 5, 2026.
