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 recently opened up about the challenges, revealing that 90% of three episodes were already in the can before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes forced everything to shut down. And this is the part most people miss: the strikes didn’t just delay filming—they upended the entire creative vision.
Muschietti explained to SFX Magazine that the show, originally conceived as a summer-set story, had to be reimagined entirely. ‘We suddenly had to work in different seasons,’ she said. ‘This is a summer show, but suddenly it wasn’t a summer show anymore. We had to create a different finale with a different climate.’ But that wasn’t the only hurdle. The young cast was growing up fast, their voices changing, and their schedules becoming increasingly chaotic. ‘Schedules of actors suddenly became hellish,’ Muschietti noted, highlighting the behind-the-scenes chaos that threatened to derail the project.
The strikes finally ended in September and November 2023, respectively, after agreements were reached with the AMPTP and studios. But here’s the controversial part: while Muschietti fully supports the writers and actors who fought for their rights, she couldn’t ignore the toll it took on her team. ‘For the people that were in the process of shooting, it was complicated,’ she admitted. This raises a thought-provoking question: How do we balance the need for industry-wide change with the immediate challenges faced by creators and crews?
Despite the setbacks, IT: Welcome to Derry has launched with a bang, drawing 5.7 million U.S. viewers in its first three days. In a fun twist, the second episode was released early to celebrate Halloween, 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 here’s the real question: Will the show’s behind-the-scenes struggles impact its storytelling, or will it emerge as a testament to resilience and creativity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
