Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a project, only to have it derailed by forces beyond your control. That’s exactly what happened to the creators of IT: Welcome to Derry, the highly anticipated HBO series that’s finally hitting screens after a tumultuous journey. But here’s where it gets complicated: the Hollywood strikes of 2023 brought production to a screeching halt for eight long months, turning what should have been a smooth process into a logistical nightmare. Co-creator Barbara Muschietti reveals that they had already filmed a staggering 90% of three episodes before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes forced them to pause. Sounds like a head start, right? Wrong. And this is the part most people miss: the delay wasn’t just about waiting—it was about adapting to a completely new reality.
Muschietti explains to SFX Magazine that the show, originally set in summer, suddenly had to be reimagined for a different season. ‘We had to create a different finale with a different climate,’ she shares, highlighting the creative hurdles they faced. But that wasn’t all. The young actors were growing up, their voices changing, and their schedules becoming increasingly chaotic. ‘It suddenly became hellish,’ Muschietti admits, underscoring the challenges for both the cast and the studio. Here’s the controversial part: while Muschietti fully supports the writers and actors who fought for their rights, she candidly acknowledges the toll it took on those in the middle of production. ‘It was complicated,’ she says, leaving us to ponder the delicate balance between solidarity and practicality.
The strikes finally ended in September and November 2023, respectively, allowing the team to regroup. The show’s two-part debut week kicked off with a bang, drawing 5.7 million U.S. viewers in its first three days. In a Halloween treat, the second episode dropped early, with subsequent episodes airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max, leading up to the December 14 season finale. But as we dive into IT: Welcome to Derry, one question lingers: How much of the original vision survived the chaos, and was the final product worth the wait? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—did the strikes enhance or hinder the show’s impact? The debate is open!
