“Welcome to Derry Marks Sobering End of Prestige TV Era”
HBO’s “It: Welcome to Derry” marks a pivotal moment in television, merging traditional prestige storytelling with genre elements. This series acts as a prequel to the acclaimed horror films “It” (2017) and “It Chapter Two” (2019), exploring supernatural occurrences in a post-war New England town. The show comes amid a notable trend of adapting popular intellectual properties into television series.
Industry Trends in Television
In the past year, various franchises have been transformed into television series, including:
- Star Wars spin-off “Andor”
- The Batman spin-off “The Penguin”
- Alien prequel “Alien: Earth”
- DC Comics spin-off “Peacemaker”
“Welcome to Derry” embraces this trend while recalling the cultural phenomenon of “Stranger Things”. Critics note parallels between the two shows, highlighting both their horror elements and nostalgic themes. However, “Derry” leans more towards darker, more ambitious storytelling.
The Blending of Genres
This series signifies a changing landscape in U.S. television. Historically, there was a distinction between genre shows and high-end prestige dramas. For example:
- Genre Show: “The Walking Dead”
- Prestige Drama: “Mad Men”
However, “Welcome to Derry” exemplifies a new breed of television that merges high production values with the appeal of entertainment. It features serious themes and accomplished performances while prioritizing thrilling, engaging narratives.
Production Quality
Produced for HBO, a network renowned for its groundbreaking series during the “Golden Age” of television, “Welcome to Derry” maintains the intricate storytelling and visual aesthetics expected of prestige shows. HBO has consistently delivered notable series, including:
- “Sex and the City”
- “The Sopranos”
- “The Wire”
- “Succession”
While HBO still claims a reputation for quality, recent years have ushered in an identity crisis marked by a pivot to adaptations of existing IP.
Future of Prestige TV
The phenomenon of “Game of Thrones” reshaped viewer expectations, proving that genre series could achieve both critical acclaim and massive audience engagement. While it is unlikely that “Welcome to Derry” will match the franchise’s monumental success, its watchability and the popularity of the original film promise a solid viewership.
The term “prestige TV” is undergoing transformation, and the shift towards adaptations raises concerns about the future of original programming. As the industry embraces series like “It: Welcome to Derry,” many wonder where the successors to influential shows like “Succession” will emerge.
New episodes of “It: Welcome to Derry” are available weekly on Sky and NOW in the UK, inviting viewers into a hauntingly engrossing narrative that draws from both horror and drama.
