Fans eagerly awaiting the upcoming prequel series to "It" and the next season of "The White Lotus" on HBO and Max may need to exercise patience, as revealed by HBO and Max chairman/CEO Casey Bloys in response to questions from reporters. The revised scheduling plans for both shows have been impacted by the writers' strike and an ongoing actors' strike, causing delays in HBO and Max's 2024 programming slate.
‘White Lotus' Season 3 probably would have been in play for 2024, it's 2025," said Bloys during a press event in New York. "‘Welcome to Derry,' we had had that scheduled for Halloween of 2024. That's likely 2025."
"White Lotus," the acclaimed anthology series created by Mike White, was in the early stages of preparation for Season 3 when the writers' strike disrupted its progress. Initially set in Thailand and featuring Natasha Rothwell in her Season 1 role, production delays due to the strikes have pushed its release to 2025. The series has been a critical success, amassing 23 Emmy nominations, including recognition in the Best Drama Series and various acting categories. Jennifer Coolidge, who won the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for Season 1, received a second consecutive nomination in Season 2, following a change in awards categories.
"Welcome to Derry" was greenlit as a series for Max in February. The television adaptation was developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, with Fuchs writing the first episode based on a story by him and the Muschiettis. Andy Muschietti will direct multiple episodes, including the first. Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane serve as co-showrunners and executive producers, with the Muschiettis also serving as executive producers through their production company, Double Dream. Shelley Meals, Roy Lee, and Dan Lin are also executive producers. The series is produced by HBO Max and Warner Bros. Television, with Double Dream currently operating under an overall deal with WBTV.
Details about the plot of "Welcome to Derry" are shrouded in secrecy. The official description reveals that it is set in the universe of Stephen King's "It" and is based on King's novel. It aims to expand on the vision established by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the "It" feature films. Production for the series had begun in early 2023 but was halted in July due to the actors' strike. The cast includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Madeleine Stowe, and Stephen Rider.
