HBO Max has surprise-released a special episode of the series “It: Welcome to Derry” titled “A History of Derry”.
The special episode is set hundreds of years before the events of the main series. At the center of the story are three Native American teenagers living on the lands where Derry would later emerge. They head into the Western Woods, where they confront an ancient sinister spirit.
The special episode was directed by Tazbah Chavez, who worked on “Reservation Dogs”, and written by Cherie Dimaline and Jasmyne Flournoy. The lead roles were played by Kiawentiio, who portrayed Katara in the Netflix series “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, Morningstar Angeline, and Zahn McClarnon, known for “Dark Winds”.
“It: Welcome to Derry” serves as a prequel to the films by Andy Muschietti. The first season covered the events of 1962, while the second will take viewers to 1935, during the Great Depression. Its plot will focus on the massacre of the Bradley Gang—bank robbers who stopped by the town to buy ammunition.
The release date for the second season has not yet been announced.