Imagine being on set, surrounded by the eerie atmosphere of a Stephen King adaptation, only to realize the true terror hasn’t even begun. That’s exactly what the cast of IT: Welcome to Derry experienced when it came to Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise. But here’s where it gets intriguing: the showrunners went to extreme lengths to keep Skarsgård’s chilling portrayal under wraps—not just from the audience, but from his fellow actors too. Why? To capture their raw, unfiltered reactions when Pennywise finally made his grand entrance in Episode 5. And this is the part most people miss: Matilda Lawler, Amanda Christine, and Clara Stack, who play Marge, Ronnie, and Lilly, respectively, had no idea what they were in for until the cameras rolled.
In an interview with Collider, Christine revealed, ‘They kept him top secret from us until we got to that specific sewer scene. He takes the character so seriously—it’s like he *becomes Pennywise. Experiencing that was both awe-inspiring and absolutely terrifying. The reactions you see on screen? Those are 100% real.’* Stack echoed this sentiment, adding, ‘Off set, Bill’s a great guy, but the moment he steps into character, the air changes. The terror is palpable—it’s something you can’t put into words.’
But here’s the twist: Pennywise wasn’t always the stuff of nightmares. Sometimes, he was just plain bizarre. In a candid interview with MovieZine, Lawler shared some behind-the-scenes moments that were equal parts hilarious and surreal. ‘You’d be walking to grab a snack, and there’s Bill, fully in Pennywise’s makeup and prosthetics, but wearing sweatpants and a normal shirt. You’d just awkwardly say, “Oh, hi, Bill,” and he’d cheerfully reply, “Hi!” It’s not something you see every day—it’s both funny and unsettling.’
This deliberate separation between Skarsgård and the rest of the cast wasn’t just a creative choice—it was a masterstroke in psychological horror. By keeping Pennywise shrouded in mystery, the showrunners amplified the character’s impact, both on screen and off. And it’s paying off: IT: Welcome to Derry is already being hailed as one of the best Stephen King adaptations to date, ranking No. 9 on Rotten Tomatoes among nearly 30 shows based on his work. For context, the original Stephen King’s IT series sits at No. 12.
But here’s the controversial question: Did the showrunners go too far in isolating Skarsgård, or was it the perfect strategy to elevate the horror? Some might argue that keeping actors in the dark could hinder their performances, while others see it as a genius way to maintain the character’s mystique. What do you think? Is this method a stroke of brilliance or a step too far? Let’s debate in the comments—and while you’re at it, share your own thoughts on Pennywise’s most chilling moments in the series so far.
