You Should Watch One Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment

The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the clear ties to It, the show also features a direct link to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved King story that deserves another look.

The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of King's other work, it is a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned man condemned to live his remaining years inside a notorious prison. And it's that very penitentiary that becomes important here, as Shawshank State Prison holds significant lore across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.

Some of the tales which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn about the terrible conditions at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates within, such as the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.

Thus far, though, the majority we've learned about the prison has been through the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while exploited by the officials in power due to his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route of the prison, before crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.

Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry

Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn which character is likely destined for the prison.

Although it is known he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to child murderers at that prison?"

The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie

Given that the real killer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and viewers do not see him inside, knowing what we do about that prison makes it clear that his experience would be far from pleasant.

Crucially, though, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town which no one, young or old, understands and she only has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if Shawshank plays a role, she may be without help.

One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.

Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.