Bill Skarsgรฅrd‘s Return as Pennywise Intimidated and Inspired ‘Welcome to Derry‘ Cast
LOS ANGELES, CA โข- โ Bill โคSkarsgรฅrd’s return to the role of Pennywise the Dancing Clown for HBO Max’s Welcome to Derry โ had a palpable effect on the โคshow’s cast and crew, eliciting reactionsโ rangingโข from fanboy excitement โto cautious respect. accounts from the set reveal Skarsgรฅrd’s dedication โto the character created a distinct atmosphere, even off-camera.
Kimberly Guerrero confessed to โ”squealing โฃout loud” upon learning of Skarsgรฅrd’sโข presence, โคwhile James Remarโ recounted approaching theโฃ actor โขto praise his performance in Barbarian. “He engaged with me instantly, because I was being very honest,” Remar said, addingโ that Skarsgรฅrd โwas “very vulnerable and gentle” before โข”truly transform[ing]” into Pennywise. Remar expressed admiration โฃfor Skarsgรฅrd’s commitment, stating โit wasโฃ what he “aspire[s] to as an actor.”
Taylour Paige shared a surprising conversation with Skarsgรฅrd while he was in full Pennywise makeup, discussing Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. “He’s Swedish, so I naturally had to ask himโฃ his thoughts on the guy because he’s one of my favorite directors,” Paigeโข explained, โฃnoting the surreal image of Pennywise discussing Bergman. she declined to reveal the specifics of their conversation, stating, “I cannotโ put anyone’s business out there,” but did mention Skarsgรฅrd โshared that his father, Stellan Skarsgรฅrd, “has opinionsโ about him,” referencing a 2025 Guardian article.
Chris Chalk andโ Stephen Rider described a more reserved approach when โinteracting with Skarsgรฅrd in costume.โ Rider joked about Skarsgรฅrd’s height, comparing himโ to michael Jordan, while chalk โadmitted to giving the actor space. “I didn’t โคreally wantโ to mess with somebody who justโฃ sat in makeup for that โคlong,” Chalk โsaid. “I was like,’Let him โขcook; I’llโ talk to him โon setโ later.'”
The younger cast membersโ experienced a particularly intense introduction to Skarsgรฅrd’s Pennywise during filming in a set designed to resemble the Derry sewers. Arian S.โข Cartaya recalled being genuinely frightened during aโ scene whereโฃ Pennywiseโ lunged at them, admitting, “I think I crapped my pants!” Amanda Christine confirmed the production team intentionally kept Skarsgรฅrd separate from the childโค actors to preserve authentic โคreactions.”They kept him top secret and awayโค from us to make sure there was truth in our reactions,” she said. “When he’s in costume, he is pennywise.”
