Make Time For One Classic Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment

HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is filled with nods to the author's extensive library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the show showcases an explicit link to The Shining via the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.

The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially compared to much of King's other writing, it is a gripping story of a wrongfully convicted individual condemned to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes important here, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore across King's stories — a tradition that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.

Among the stories which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we learn about the terrible conditions inside Shawshank State Prison plus some of the inmates within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.

Thus far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison has been via the perspective of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and raped by other prisoners, while exploited by those in officials in power due to his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to dig his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through sewage" to take back his liberty.

Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry

In relation to the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably headed to Shawshank.

Though it is known he did not responsible for the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," reveals an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers at that prison?"

The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter

Given that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.

More importantly, however, this development would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are occurring around Derry which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her new group of friends to rely on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank plays a role, she could be out of luck.

A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig his way out.

It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.