HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with references to the author's vast library of stories. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the show includes a direct link to The Shining through the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story that deserves a revisit.
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, particularly compared to much of the author's additional writing, it remains a gripping story of a wrongfully convicted man condemned to spend his remaining years inside a notorious prison. And it's this specific penitentiary which is important here, since Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we discover regarding the awful conditions at the state penitentiary plus several of the inmates within, such as the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who had been convicted of armed robbery.
So far, though, the most we have discovered about the prison has been through the perspective of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy winds up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, then experiences beaten and abused by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by the officials in power due to his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to dig an escape route from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his freedom.
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement from an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus appeared bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is probably headed to the prison.
Although we know he did not responsible for the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
Considering that the actual killer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what is known about that prison indicates that his time there would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank has any say, she may be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
Lena Hoffmann is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, specializing in German current affairs and digital media trends.
