The eerie streets of Derry have returned, but this time the horrors arrive with tiny sneakers and sticky fingers. It: Welcome to Derry teases the familiar dread of Pennywise, only the town’s newest victims are pint-sized and full of untapped angst. The series promises a cocktail of 1960s nostalgia, social unrest, and supernatural terror, all through the perspective of kids who somehow survive screaming, running, and existential despair. And while the clown lurks in shadows, these youngsters are about to steal the spotlight in ways only childhood trauma can inspire.

While Derry’s dark past looms large, the kids stepping into this legacy are just the beginning of a chaos-filled ride you never saw coming.

It: Welcome to Derry is the prequel that turns the town of nightmares into a historical horror playground. Set in 1962, it dives into Pennywise’s origins and the generational darkness infecting Derry, while exploring social unrest, racism, and the shadow of Mike Hanlon’s family. Think of it as Stephen King’s diary, minus the bedtime stories, plus a touch of HBO-level dread. As the cursed town readies itself, every shadow could be a childhood nightmare, every laugh a prelude to the circus of terror about to unfold.

While the town simmers with tension, it is the children who map these horrors who will decide if innocence stands a chance.

Blake Cameron James as Will Hanlon: Blake Cameron James plays Will Hanlon, the new military kid whose arrival in Derry offers fresh eyes on decades-old horrors. Middle-school-aged and obsessed with science fiction, Will becomes the audience’s anchor amid chaos. James earned recognition for BET+’s The Sound of Christmas, Nickelodeon’s Little Len's, AT&T’s Master’s Commercial, and NBC’s Found. In this prequel, he shifts from comedic roles to supernatural suspense, emerging as a rising star who bridges nostalgia for the films with fresh, chilling storytelling.

While Will grapples with Derry’s darkness, his companions, equally compelling, bring their own layers of courage and trauma.

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Clara Stack as Lilly: Lilly is the emotionally scarred hero whose resilience shines through personal tragedy. Clara Stack, a relative newcomer, previously appeared as Rose Wingert in 2023's The Naughty Nine, but here she tackles a complex role requiring both vulnerability and bravery. Critics praise her ability to balance trauma with courage, creating a character whose fear of Pennywise is tempered by empathy and tenacity. Lilly is not just a survivor; she is the heart of the story, and Stack’s performance ensures the audience invests in her journey from terror to defiance.

Amanda Christine as Ronnie Grogan: Ronnie Grogan, daughter of Black cinema projectionist Hank Grogan, becomes an emblem of resilience against 1962 Derry’s bigotry. Amanda Christine brings experience from Black Box and series like How to Get Away with Murder and The Last O.G., portraying a girl trying to clear her father’s name while facing Pennywise. Her character embodies courage and thematic depth, offering an emotional anchor to the trio of Will, Lilly, and herself. Christine’s portrayal blends historical tension and supernatural suspense, cementing her as a compelling focal point in the narrative.

Mikkal Karim-Fidler as Teddy: Teddy mirrors traits of Stan Uris from the original films, as one of the first children to sense Pennywise’s growing menace. Karim-Fidler is a newcomer navigating Cold War anxieties, Holocaust fears, and cultural tensions of 1962 Derry. Teddy’s arc combines curiosity with vulnerability, establishing early suspense and grounding the series’ supernatural horrors in authentic human reaction, making him a memorable, if doomed, member of the young ensemble.

Jack Molloy Legault as Phil: Phil is foul-mouthed, sci-fi obsessed, and one of the first to vanish in Derry’s cursed narrative. Legault, also a newcomer, channels the chaotic energy of Richie Tozier but twists audience expectations, signaling that in this prequel, not everyone survives, and no hero archetype is sacred.

Miles Ekhardt as Matty Clements: Matty Clements is the first child claimed by Pennywise, his disappearance signaling the series’ high-stakes tension. Ekhardt’s prior work includes Turtles All the Way Down (2024). Matty’s fate sets the gruesome tone and reminds viewers that in Derry, curiosity is a dangerous luxury.

With children, both main and secondary mapping terror, how did the directors ensure they survived the horror of filming itself?

Andy and Barbara Muschietti, veterans of the IT franchise, prioritized safety and fun while orchestrating horror. From separating reality and fiction to ensuring props were tangible yet non-threatening, their approach made gruesome scenes technically complex but emotionally safe. Clara Stack told Entertainment Weekly that filming the bloody theater scene was “so much fun,” without a hint of trauma. Distorted baby noises and verbal guidance created authentic reactions while maintaining a playful environment, proving that horror and care can coexist.

Directing skill alone did not prevent behind-the-scenes chaos, as nine-month shoots and growth spurts tested the production’s limits.

Filming was a high-stakes logistical puzzle. Child actors grew inches during breaks caused by the 2023 strikes, requiring wardrobe adjustments and recalibration of scene blocking. Long nights, water shoots, and cold weather added to the challenge, yet the cast bonded through rituals like trumpet take celebrations and late-night mall hangs. Creatively, the team pitched the prequel trilogy with shocking twists, including a Capitol Theater massacre, embedding period-specific fears like nuclear panic and mutations. Derry’s historical and supernatural horrors demanded patience, camaraderie, and precise choreography to keep young actors engaged and safe.

So, while audiences revisit every It sequel and brace for Pennywise’s next psychological spiral, It: Welcome to Derry redefines what horror truly means, legacy, fear, and the innocence that confronts it. From ghostly cinemas to cursed streets, the prequel stands as a haunting reminder that Derry never forgets, and its nightmares echo long after the final scream fades.

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What are your thoughts on the young actors tackling horror in Derry, their performances, and the directors’ unique methods? Let us know in the comments below.