Don't Miss One Legendary Stephen King Film Before the Series' Next Episode

HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's extensive library of stories. Beyond the clear ties to the original story, the series showcases an explicit link to King's famous novel through the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story which merits another look.

The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption

While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly compared to much of King's other work, it remains a haunting story about an innocently imprisoned individual condemned to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. And it's that very institution that becomes central in this context, since the Shawshank facility holds significant lore throughout King's stories — a pattern that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.

Among the tales which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible life at the state penitentiary plus several of those imprisoned within, such as the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who had been convicted of armed robbery.

So far, however, the most we've learned about the prison has been via the perspective of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then finds himself beaten and raped by other prisoners, while exploited by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, before crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.

The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry

In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the show, where a correctional transport was seen with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn which character is probably destined for Shawshank.

Though we know he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"

The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter

Given that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world hunting and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up to Shawshank and viewers do not see him there, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would be far from enjoyable.

Crucially, though, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, child or adult, understands and she just has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, but if the prison system has any say, she may be out of luck.

One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out.

It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.