Could Pennywise the Dancing Clown crash the Emmy nominations? HBO sure hopes so. The network is making a big awards push for It: Welcome to Derry, submitting the eight-episode first season in 34 categories, including Best Drama Series, for the 2026 Emmys, Gold Derby has exclusively learned. A prequel to director Andy Muschietti’s blockbuster It films, Welcome to Derry fleshes out backstory from Stephen King’s bestselling novel to tell the origins of the dimension-hopping, shape-shifting monster and the cursed town he haunts. While the cast is new — outside of Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise — many of the creatives are alumni of the movies, including Andy Muschietti and his sister and fellow producer, Barbara Muschietti.
Speaking of that cast, HBO will be submitting 13 members of the ensemble for Emmy consideration, including many of the show’s young stars. Jovan Adepo (Leroy Hanlon) is the lone actor in the lead categories. Skarsgård is pitted against fellow supporting actor entrants Chris Chalk (Dick Hallorann), Stephen Rider (Hank Grogan), James Remar (Gen. Francis Shaw), Blake Cameron James (Will Hanlon), and Arian S. Cartaya (Rich Santos). Taylour Paige (Charlotte Hanlon), Madeleine Stowe (Ingrid Kersh), Kimberly Guerrero (Rose), Clara Stack (Lilly Bainbridge), Amanda Christine (Ronnie Grogan), and Matilda Lawler (Marge Truman) comprise the show’s supporting actress slate.
Welcome to Derry is on the outside of the Best Drama Series race, sitting just outside the top 20, per the latest Gold Derby prediction data. Of all the cast memebers, Skarsgård has the best odds, ranking at No. 14 for Best Drama Supporting Actor.
While Welcome to Derry might have a tough time breaking through in the marquee races, don’t be surprised if It scares up some below-the-line nominations for production design, period costume design, hair, makeup, prosthetics, and/or stunts.
Below are all the categories It: Welcome to Derry is being submitted for (Note: This is the official HBO slate and subject to change. The TV Academy allows self-submissions, as well, provided the eligibility requirements are met, so some names not listed may still wind up on the final Emmy ballot when nominations are unveiled on July 8.)
Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Jovan Adepo
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Bill Skarsgård
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Chris Chalk
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: James Remar
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Stephen Rider
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Blake Cameron James
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Arian S. Cartaya
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Taylour Paige
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Clara Stack
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Amanda Christine
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Matilda Lawler
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Kimberly Guerrero
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Madeleine Stowe
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Episode 107: “The Black Spot” — Andy Muschietti
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Episode 107: “The Black Spot” — Jason Fuchs, Brad Caleb Kane
Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour): Episode 101: “The Pilot” — Daniel Vilar, director of photography
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series: Episode 101: “The Pilot” — Esther Sokolow, editor
Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series: Rich Delia, Stephanie Gorin, Brendan Wilcocks, Erin Rose Kelly
Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming: Episode 107: “The Black Spot” — Amy Wright, choreographer
Outstanding Period Costumes: Episode 107: “The Black Spot” — Luis M. Sequeira, costume designer; Ann Steel, assistant costume designer
Daina Valius, assistant costume designer; Barbara Cardoso, costume supervisor; Christiana Lobo, key costumer; Marie Glass, head of workroom
Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling: Episode 107: “The Black Spot” — Debra Johnson, department head hairstylist; Taraleigh Wallace, key hairstylist; Blake Arsenault, hairstylist; Ann-Marie Thomas, hairstylist; Claude Bain, hairstylist
Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (Non-Prosthetic): Episode 107: “The Black Spot” — Sarah Craig Mceathron, department head makeup artist; Alastair Muir, key makeup artist; Aaren Perrier, makeup artist; Alexis Tataryn, makeup artist; Erin Sweeney, makeup artist
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup: Episode 107: “The Black Spot” — Sean Sansom, prosthetic designer; Shane Zander, key prosthetic makeup artist; Iantha Goldberg, prosthetic makeup artist; Brandi Boulet, prosthetic makeup artist
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score): Episode 108: “Winter Fire” — Benjamin Wallfisch, Composer
Outstanding Music Supervision: Episode106: “In the Name of the Father” — Kim Baum, Music Supervisor
Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More): Paul Denham Austerberry, production designer; Colin Woods, supervising art director; Jeffrey A. Melvin, set decorator
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour): Episode 107: “The Black Spot” — David V. Butler, supervising sound editor; Brandon Jones, supervising sound editor
Kira Roessler, dialogue & ADR editor; Lisé Richardson, music editor; Erick Ocampo, sound designer; Matt Lapthorne, Foley supervisor; Lara Schneider, Foley editor; Sam Rogers, Foley artist; Ryan Squires, Foley artist
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour): Episode 107: “The Black Spot” — Marc Fishman, re-recording mixer; Michael Keller, re-recording mixer; Ao Loo, production mixer; Benjamin Wallfisch, scoring mixer
Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie: Daryl Sawchuk, overall VFX supervisor; Steve Dellerson, overall VFX producer; Pier Lefebrve, VFX supervisor; Jordan Schilling, VFX supervisor; Steven Tether, VFX set supervisor; Darcy Callaghan, SPX supervisor; Zena Bielewicz, VFX supervisor; Eric Withee, VFX associate producer; Maria Sartzetaki, VFX production manager; Sebastien Chartier, VFX supervisor; Ben King, VFX supervisor; Lara Ramirez, VFX editor
Outstanding Stunt Coordination for Drama Programming: Jamie Jones, stunt coordinator
Outstanding Stunt Performance: Episode 108: “Winter Fire” — Dustin Faith, stunt performer
Outstanding Title Design: Aaron Becker, creative director; Seth Kleinberg, art director; Troy Miller, editor; Joseph Ahn, designer; Michael Lo, designer; Hsien Lun Su, designer; Li-Yu Chen, designer; Lee Nelson, animator
Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series: It: Welcome to Derry – Inside Derry
