It: Welcome to Derry is HBO’s highly anticipated horror series that serves as a prequel to the films It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019). Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel It, the series dives deeper into the disturbing origins of Pennywise the Clown and the haunted town of Derry, decades before the Losers’ Club first encountered him.
Set in the 1960s, the show explores how the town’s dark past shaped what was seen in the films. With the original movie’s creative team on board and Bill Skarsgård reprising his chilling role as Pennywise, expectations are high. Scheduled to premiere in late 2025 on HBO, the show will include nine spine-chilling episodes.
As covered by NetFilming—the production team carefully chose filming locations to recreate the sinister atmosphere of Derry with authenticity & detail. Here’s a glimpse of the filming locations for the series:
Where Was It: Welcome to Derry Filmed?
The series was filmed entirely in Ontario, Canada, using multiple cities and towns to bring 1960s Derry to life. These included Toronto, Port Hope, Hamilton, and a few other locations across the province.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto played a major role in the production. Its diverse architecture—ranging from historic neighborhoods to modern buildings—makes it a popular filming destination for Hollywood. For It: Welcome to Derry, elements of Toronto’s urban and suburban areas served as parts of Derry, helping the producers create a believable 1960s town.
Most likely, the producers used sound stages or renovated warehouses to film the interior scenes. The team was also able to handle complicated sets and effects more easily because Toronto’s infrastructure was suitable for movies.
Port Hope, Ontario
Fans of the It films will recognize Port Hope, as it was the primary filming location for Derry in both movies. The production team returned to Port Hope to maintain visual continuity between the series and the films.
Downtown Port Hope was transformed into Derry once again, complete with vintage cars, old storefronts, and retro signage. The Port Hope Municipal Hall stood in for the town library, a key location in the It universe. The streets and familiar buildings were dressed in 1960s details to match the timeline of the show.
This small town has become almost synonymous with Derry among fans, making its return an important part of the production’s authenticity.
Hamilton, Ontario—Delta Secondary School
Hamilton was another major filming location. Its industrial background, heritage buildings and quieter neighborhoods allowed the crew to replicate the eerie small-town vibe.
A standout location in Hamilton was the now-closed Delta Secondary School, which was used for filming scenes set in Derry High School. The team had full creative freedom to change the facility’s interior and exterior to match the show’s needs since it was unused. Using objects and set designs from the 1960s, the school corridors and classrooms were changed.
Some parts of Hamilton’s downtown were also renovated to fit the old-fashioned environment. Store fronts and traffic signs were changed to look like they did in America in the 1950s.
Additional Ontario Locations
Besides the main cities, filming also took place in several other spots across Southern Ontario, including:
- CFB Borden—for military or institutional settings
- Goodwood—a common filming site for its rural charm
- Mississauga, Brampton and Niagara Falls—used for select exterior shots and filler scenes
These locations helped the crew expand Derry’s fictional world, giving viewers a more detailed look into the town’s haunted past.
Is Derry a Real Town in It: Welcome to Derry?
No, Derry is not real. Stephen King made up the town, which is in the U.S. state of Maine. Derry is a made-up place that King has written about in many of his books, but It is the most famous. It originally showed up in a short story in 1981 and thereafter became a key part of King’s horror universe.
Stephen King has said that Derry is loosely inspired by Bangor, Maine, where he lives. However, maps from his official site place Derry closer to a town called Etna.
Derry is part of a trio of fictional towns created by King, along with Castle Rock and Jerusalem’s Lot. These locations frequently connect his various stories and characters, making his universe feel more interconnected.
Secret Working Title: “Greetings from Fairview“
To keep filming under wraps and avoid fan interference, the production used a secret working title—Greetings from Fairview. This is a common strategy in the industry to prevent onlookers and media from crowding the sets.
Set decorations, vehicles and even paperwork during filming carried the fake name, which helped the team maintain a lower profile while working in public areas.
When Was It: Welcome to Derry Filmed?
Filming started on May 1, 2023, and continued through December 2023. However, the SAG-AFTRA strike in mid-2023 caused a temporary halt in production.
Once the strike ended, filming resumed in February 2024 and wrapped up in late July 2024. The show is now in post-production and set for a late 2025 release on HBO.
It: Welcome to Derry Behind The Scenes
On the set of It: Welcome to Derry, creative energy buzzed as the team reunited to build the horror-filled world of Derry. Director Andy Muschietti, who directed the first four episodes, emphasized the importance of unpredictability in Pennywise’s character. He shared, “we talked a lot about the unpredictable behavior of Pennywise as part of his dread… Bill… embraced that concept… surprising me at every point”. This commitment breathed fresh life into the character and lifted the tension in every scene.
Bill Skarsgård, returning as Pennywise and serving as executive producer, admitted the role pushed his limits: “I felt like I was done with it… Then things changed… it was fun. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would… we got to explore sides of old Pennywise that we haven’t seen”. He also confirmed the show would go deeper into horror: “It’s pretty hardcore, man. It’s not the G‑rated Pennywise”.
Barbara Muschietti, the producer, also talked about the logistical problems that come with bringing various timelines to life with a large group of people. She complimented the team’s organization, saying they “put all 15 ducks in a row,” juggling demanding schedules and creative needs. Their work together shows how passion and precision came together to make the prequel so scary and character-driven.
It: Welcome to Derry Official Trailer
Stay tuned to NetFilming for more updates on filming locations, behind-the-scenes insights and release info for your favorite shows.
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