Imagine a world where Stephen King's most terrifying creations are all connected... that's the promise of HBO's upcoming "It: Welcome to Derry." But this isn't just another prequel; it's a key that unlocks a deeper understanding of King's entire universe. What if I told you that a character from "The Shining," Dick Hallorann, is deeply woven into the fabric of Derry's dark history? Get ready to have your King-verse knowledge expanded. And this is the part most people miss... the implications are HUGE.
As a prequel to the blockbuster films "It" (2017) and "It Chapter Two" (2019), "It: Welcome to Derry" aims to fill in the narrative gaps and enrich the lore established in those movies. But it's more than just a backstory. For devoted fans of Stephen King's novels, this series is set to become essential viewing. The show dives headfirst into the "macroverse," exploring the intricate connections between King's seemingly disparate stories. The inclusion of Dick Hallorann, famously the head chef of the Overlook Hotel in "The Shining," is a prime example of this interconnectedness. Played by Chris Chalk (known for his roles as a young Lucius Fox in "Gotham" and Paul Drake in "Perry Mason"), Hallorann's presence in Derry during the 1960s adds a fascinating layer to the narrative.
So, what exactly is Dick Hallorann doing in Derry? Any true King aficionado knows the character is mentioned in the original "It" novel. In fact, Chalk seems a little exasperated by the question. At a New York Comic Con panel, he jokingly chided fans who asked about it, saying, "When people ask that question I go, 'You didn't read the book! You're not a big fan, are you?'" But here's where it gets controversial... some casual viewers might only know Hallorann from the films, and his connection to Derry might seem out of left field.
The character of Hallorann first appeared in King's 1977 novel, "The Shining," where he develops a special bond with young Danny Torrance because of their shared telepathic abilities, known as "the shining." Famously portrayed by Scatman Crothers in Stanley Kubrick's iconic 1980 film adaptation, Hallorann served as a mentor figure. However, in "It," published in 1986, we learn that Hallorann was a part of the Derry community during the timeline of "Welcome to Derry." This suggests that he'll play a significant role in the new series, potentially presenting a version of Hallorann that differs from what fans have seen before. Could this younger Hallorann challenge our preconceived notions of the character?
"Welcome to Derry" is helmed by Andy and Barbara Muschietti, the creative forces behind the two "It" movies. With this new series, they are eager to expand upon the story they've already told. As Andy Muschietti explained to SFX Magazine, "What I want the audience to feel is that everything they know about It is just the tip of the iceberg." This means delving deeper into the larger Stephen King-verse, highlighting the connections between stories on a local level. Dick Hallorann's inclusion exemplifies this approach.
Over the years, Dick Hallorann has been brought to life by several actors. Melvin Van Peebles played him in ABC's 1997 "The Shining" miniseries, while Carl Lumbly portrayed his ghost in the 2019 film "Doctor Sleep" (which attempted to reconcile Kubrick's and King's differing interpretations of "The Shining"). The HBO show will give us another on-screen Hallorann. Fans of the original "It" know that Hallorann played a vital role in Derry's history as a co-founder of the Black Spot, a local bar. When a white supremacist group burned the bar down, Hallorann used his "Shining" ability to rescue survivors, including Will Hanlon, the father of Mike Hanlon, who would later become a member of the Losers' Club in "It."
Previously, it was revealed that the Black Spot sequence would be adapted in "Welcome to Derry." This aligns perfectly with the show's exploration of racial tensions in Derry, as seen in the trailers. Hallorann's prominent role in the series becomes clear, and we now have a better understanding of what to expect from Chris Chalk's interpretation.
During the NYCC panel, Chris Chalk provided more insight into how his younger version of Dick Hallorann will differ from previous portrayals. "Welcome to Derry" will present a more raw and unrefined version of the character. Chalk explained, "Dick thinks all of these [Derry residents] are corny. He doesn't respect a single one of them, and that's the journey of Dick." He added, "The Dick you know is super nice... Good luck with this Dick." This suggests we're going to see a side of Hallorann that is far from the wise, comforting figure we're used to.
What exactly is Hallorann doing in Derry before co-founding the Black Spot? Chalk addressed this question directly: "Dick is in Derry because Dick f****d up, and that's the truth. You'll see the show and you'll get that." This version of Hallorann is grappling with internal demons, a far cry from the nurturing mentor who guided Danny Torrance through the horrors of the Overlook Hotel. As Chalk put it, this younger Hallorann is "at a stage when he has a different relationship with his internal self, with his spiritual world, and his biggest fear is himself and losing control."
With fear being a central theme in "It," Hallorann's prominent role in the upcoming series makes perfect sense. The show explores this theme through Pennywise (played by Bill Skarsgard) and the racial tensions within Derry, where fear is used as a tool for intimidation. Hallorann provides an ideal perspective for examining these ideas. In this context, it would have been more surprising if the Muschiettis hadn't included him in the prequel series.
"It: Welcome to Derry" premieres on HBO on October 26, 2025. But this begs the question: Will this prequel enhance or detract from the established lore? Will this new, flawed version of Hallorann sit well with long-time fans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
