IT: Welcome To Derry Cast Share Stephen King Favorites And Memories

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The cast of ‘Welcome to Derry‘ has been talking about their favorite Stephen King stories and how this new show adapts his work, including one opinion that sparked debate. This HBO horror series acts as a prequel to the recent ‘It’ movies, taking place in the early 1960s. It follows a family that moves to Derry, Maine, and experiences terrifying events.

The new series, ‘Welcome to Derry,’ brings back Bill Skarsgård as the terrifying clown Pennywise. He’s joined by a talented cast including Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Kimberly Gueuerro, and Chris Chalk. The show blends Skarsgård’s iconic performance with new actors to create even more suspense and continues the trend of adapting Stephen King’s stories for the screen.

During a recent interview with the cast of IT: Welcome to Derry for ScreenRant, they discussed their first experiences with Stephen King’s writing and shared their favorite adaptations of his work. While many agreed on The Shining, opinions varied, with some also highlighting the divisive horror film Cujo. See their picks below:

Someone from ScreenRant asked about the new Stephen King adaptation and wanted to know what first introduced the filmmakers to King’s work. They also asked what their favorite Stephen King story is.

If I had to pick just one film as my all-time favorite, it would absolutely be The Shining. The performances are just phenomenal – Jack Nicholson is iconic, of course, but Shelley Duvall really breaks your heart. Knowing what she went through during filming adds another layer of sadness, and honestly, she’s one of my favorite actresses ever. Beyond the acting, it’s just a masterclass in direction. Kubrick was a difficult guy, no doubt, but we were so lucky to have him. He fundamentally changed how movies are made, and I think he did justice to Stephen King’s original story.

I first encountered Stephen King through the TV miniseries ‘IT’ starring Tim Curry. As a kid, I didn’t enjoy it at all – it genuinely scared me! I specifically remember being afraid of sewers and imagining voices coming from the drains.

Taylour Paige: Scared of the sink. I remember when the balloon came out of the sink.

I mostly remember the music – the circus music they used was really effective. It seemed like they used it a lot more in the original miniseries than in this new version. It was unsettling, slow, and kind of creepy, and honestly, I didn’t enjoy it at the time. But looking back, I respect what they were going for. Ultimately, I think Andy’s version of the story is stronger and will stick with people longer.

I first discovered Stephen King with the film adaptation of ‘The Shining,’ which led me to his novels. I quickly read ‘The Stand’ and ‘IT,’ along with ‘The Shining’ itself – it’s a relatively short book, unlike the sprawling length of ‘IT’ and ‘The Stand.’ ‘The Shining’ really struck me because of how everything within it felt purposeful and moved the story forward. You see this theme of objects coming to life due to a dark, fear-fueled force recurring in his other works. He often shows how innocence and love can triumph over evil, which elevates his writing beyond typical horror. It’s a profound exploration of what it means to be human, and I find his work incredibly powerful.

I definitely agree. The writing is really strong, and combining that with the horror genre is a fantastic way to create both exciting entertainment and stories focused on interesting characters. It really delivers a thrilling experience. I first encountered this with ‘Carrie,’ both the book and the movie. I remember being completely confused and captivated by the ending. But if I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be ‘Stand By Me.’ There’s something special about the feeling of riding bikes with your friends. I grew up in a small town in rural Oklahoma called Idabell, and that movie really captured what my childhood was like. I spent a lot of time by the railroad tracks, so it felt very relatable. I loved the sense of adventure and growing up, and the way the story explores how we deal with difficult secrets, and whether or not we choose to share them with others.

James Remar: Cujo scared the hell out of me.

Kimberly Guerrero: Cujo was terrifying.

James Remar described ‘Cujo’ as one of those stories with a simple core – a battle between people and the forces of nature. It’s about a mother and child facing a terrifyingly hopeless situation with a rabid dog. What makes it especially unsettling is that dogs are usually considered loyal companions, making the story deeply disturbing.

If I had to pick just one, I’d say The Shawshank Redemption is my absolute favorite. Along with The Green Mile, those two films really stick with me. Honestly, Coffey’s story in The Green Mile just completely broke my heart. And Shawshank? It’s a masterpiece! It’s tough to choose though, because Stephen Rider has been in so many incredible, classic movies.

I first got into Stephen King with The Shining – I was a kid who enjoyed reading scary books. Then I read IT, and after that, I explored a lot of his other work, like The Stand. Honestly, I’ve seen pretty much everything he’s ever created, in any form.

The many different versions demonstrate how extensive and influential Stephen King’s writing is, and how often his stories are reimagined. Actor Jovan Adepo specifically mentions the classic IT miniseries starring Tim Curry, highlighting the enduring popularity of the original tale and how this new prequel connects back to it.

Over the years, adaptations of Stephen King’s work have generally been well-received in both movies and television. King often tackles difficult and provocative subjects, and his novel Cujo is still considered one of his most challenging adaptations. The portrayal of Donna Trenton’s emotional state is particularly effective; the story is frightening precisely because it upends our expectations of dogs as friendly and reliable pets.

Stephen King’s work includes sweeping novels like The Stand, and beloved film adaptations of his short stories, such as Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption, which are now firmly embedded in popular culture. Other well-regarded and influential works include The Green Mile, Carrie, and The Shining, all considered classics in both literature and film.

The actors clearly admire and draw inspiration from Stephen King’s writing, which proves how much of an impact he’s had on horror and American culture as a whole. Although the new series, Welcome to Derry, might not become as iconic as the original miniseries, it effectively shows that King’s stories still resonate with audiences today.

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2025-10-28 14:00