Stephen King is backing a popular HBO horror show for the Emmys, and he is not being quiet about it. The famous author recently took to social media to tell voters to support ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ and with voting closing on June 22, he made his feelings very clear.
“Hey, Constant Readers and Television Academy voters: Emmy voting is in full swing,” King wrote, pointing voters to a video that shows off the show’s critical praise. “The cast and crew did a spectacular job bringing the old town to life. (And yes, it’s scary as hell.) Don’t forget to vote!“
Director Andy Muschietti and Bill Skarsgard Deliver Terrifying Performances
For King, this is not just a mere promotional lip service. It is widely known that he is notoriously selective in his praise and has been consistently vocal about his admiration for the series since its October 2025 premiere. He brought up a specific scene with exploding pickle jars and a monster in a grocery store, calling it a moment that “sticks in his mind.” If the guy who created Pennywise says the show got to him, that means something.
Related: ‘IT: Welcome To Derry’s Future Looks Promising As Creators Tease What’s Next
King also had good things to say about director Andy Muschietti, who directed the recent movies, too. King said the filmmaker “has got a touch of genius when it comes to scares.” He also warned that people “are going to see some scenes in their nightmares.”
Fans were worried about how Bill Skarsgard would return as Pennywise after all this time. King told them not to stress about it: “When Pennywise finally appears, he’s still scary as hell,” King said. Skarsgard was not just in front of the camera this time; he also worked as an executive producer on the show.
Critical Acclaim and Cultural Impact of ‘It: Welcome to Derry’
The show is a prequel to the movies and digs deeper into the world of King’s 1986 book. Critics have given it a “Certified Fresh” 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences gave it 82%. Metacritic gave it a 61, which means “Generally Favorable” reviews. Some outlets liked the cast’s “emotional depth” and said the show has a “distinct point of view.”
In case you missed it: Why Bill Skarsgard Hesitated Before Putting The Pennywise Makeup Back On For ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’
The team behind the show worked closely with King’s original story. Showrunner Jason Fuchs said King’s support meant the world to him, highlighting that King’s praise is “without a doubt the highlight of my career to this point.” He added that King’s work “shaped my entire approach to storytelling.“
Emmy Campaign Gains Momentum as Voting Deadline Approaches
The Emmys are set for September 14. Horror shows do not always get a lot of love from the Academy, but ‘Welcome to Derry‘ could change that. It has a shot at Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, and Skarsgard could get a nod for Lead Actor.
“I think Stephen King having that response is without a doubt the highlight of my career,” Fuchs said. “The fact that I get to write and create this and build this with Brad at all is a great honor and a joy.” With Emmy voting almost over, King’s words could give the show a real boost. A second season is already being talked about, so the story is not ending anytime soon.
‘It: Welcome to Derry‘ is on HBO Max right now.
You might also want to read: ‘It: Welcome To Derry’ Finale Changes Everything We Know About Pennywise
