IT: Welcome to Derry drops a surprising cameo for fans of the franchise and also fans of the Stranger Things franchise.
IT: Welcome to Derry, jumpscared us in a way we didn’t expect, by bringing back an iconic cast member from It and It Chapter Two: Finn Wolfhard. Wolfhard, known for playing a similar type of role in Stranger Things as a kid against a supernatural force, appears to be gearing up for a return to Stephen King’s universe.
In the finale of IT: Welcome to Derry, we see his character, Richie Tozier, in the form of a missing persons poster. In an interview with Esquire, Wolfhard spills the beans on his cameo:
I knew that years ago, actually. When they first started thinking about that show, it was probably 2021. Barbara and Andy Muschietti both told me, “You’re involved.” Yeah, I’m connected. I think there’s something else that will come up eventually that I’m excited for people to see.
It, It Chapter Two, and IT: Welcome to Derry have successfully established themselves in the horror world as a fantastic franchise, so it’s no surprise that Wolfhard would have some plan to return now that Stranger Things is over.
How Is Finn Wolfhard Connected to IT: Welcome to Derry?
Finn Wolfhard played the role of Richie Tozier in the original It films, against Pennywise the Dancing Clown. While HBO has not explicitly confirmed a renewal of IT: Welcome to Derry, the creators are already talking about a second finale and even another IT film.
Here are key details of IT: Welcome to Derry.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title | It: Welcome to Derry |
| Type | American supernatural horror television series |
| Genre | Supernatural horror |
| Based On | It (1986 novel) by Stephen King |
| Relation to IT Franchise | Prequel to It (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019) films |
| Developers / Creators | Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs |
| Showrunners | Jason Fuchs, Brad Caleb Kane |
| Music Composer | Benjamin Wallfisch |
| Seasons | 1 |
| Episodes (Season 1) | 8 |
| Episode Runtime | ~54–66 minutes |
| First Air Date | October 26, 2025 |
| Setting (Time & Place) | Derry, Maine, in 1962 (pre-film events) |
| Premise | A family arrives in Derry amid mysterious disappearances |
| Notable Cast | Bill Skarsgård (Pennywise), Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Chris Chalk, Madeleine Stowe, Matilda Lawler |
| Connection to Films | Expands mythology and links back to events & characters from the movies (e.g., a cameo that recontextualizes It: Chapter Two) |
In the show’s climax, Pennywise directly reveals that Marge’s full name is Margaret Tozier, the mother of Richie Tozier. This connection comes full circle as the next cycle will involve the official Loser’s Club, involving Richie.
Finn Wolfhard had starred in It and Stranger Things back-to-back in his teen years, making him a global superstar at a very young age. Now he’s also a rockstar, having formed his own band that is releasing music. The future looks bright for the star.
Finn Wolfhard’s Career Looks Promising After Stranger Things
In the interview with Esquire, Wolfhard talks about his upcoming plan to pursue music:
I’m probably going to tour a little bit with my band next year and put out another album. I have some music that I’ve written over the last two years that I want to record.
In 2025, Wolfhard released his debut solo LP Happy Birthday via AWAL, a raw indie pop/rock project recorded to tape with co-producer Kai Slater. His indie sound has captured hearts across the nation, with Happy Birthday blowing up as this generation’s The Strokes.
With Stranger Things, IT, and his solo music career, the 23-year-old is already set to dominate Hollywood.
What do you think of his appearance in IT: Welcome to Derry? Let us know in the comments.
Stranger Things is currently streaming on Netflix in the U.S.
IT: Welcome to Derry is currently streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.
