Stephen King Universe Expands with Official ‘The Shining’ and ‘IT’ Crossover Series Announcement

Stephen King fans have a lot to be excited about. HBO’s upcoming horror series It: Welcome to Derry will not only dive into Pennywise’s past but will also bring in a familiar face from another one of King’s classic stories. That’s right, Dick Hallorann from The Shining is officially joining the world of IT.

The show is being made by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the same team behind the two recent IT movies. This new prequel series is set to hit HBO in October 2025 and will explore the earlier years of Pennywise’s terror in Derry, Maine.

It will feature nine episodes and has a cast that includes Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, James Remar, Chris Chalk, and Bill Skarsgård, who’s returning as the terrifying clown.

At San Diego Comic-Con, Screen Rant reported that the Muschiettis confirmed Dick Hallorann will appear in the show, played by Chris Chalk. Fans of The Shining will recognize Dick as the warm-hearted cook from the Overlook Hotel, but as it turns out, he actually makes a brief appearance in King’s original IT novel too. In the book, he worked at a place called The Black Spot, which plays a major role in the show’s first season.

According to Andy Muschietti, the character won’t just be a background presence. “He’s going to have a bigger role this time,” Andy said during the panel. That’s huge news for fans who have always loved Dick Hallorann for his kindness and bravery.

He’s one of those rare Stephen King characters who shows up in more than one story, and his inclusion here helps connect It: Welcome to Derry to the larger Stephen King universe in a real way.

The show will focus on events leading up to the original IT storyline, diving into past tragedies in the town of Derry and showing more of Pennywise’s history. It will also look into the Black Spot fire, a major moment in King’s lore, which makes Dick Hallorann’s presence even more important.

With so many details coming together, it’s clear HBO is aiming to expand the Stephen King universe in a meaningful way. Mixing characters from different books like this isn’t just a fun nod to readers, it gives the show more depth and helps tell a bigger story across King’s world.

So far, It: Welcome to Derry is shaping up to be more than just a scary show. It’s a big moment for fans who’ve followed these stories for years. And with Pennywise back on screen and Dick Hallorann stepping into the spotlight, October 2025 can’t come soon enough.

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