It: Welcome to Derry has taken fans on a wild ride, serving as a direct prequel to Andy Muschietti’s films It and It Chapter Two. It’s no surprise that familiar faces, aside from the infamous Pennywise, have made their way back into this chilling saga.
As the season unfolded, viewers were introduced to the backstory of Bob Gray, the ill-fated clown, and his daughter, Ingrid. After losing her father to Pennywise, Ingrid remained in Derry, took a job at Juniper Hill Asylum, and married the local butcher. She became Ingrid Kersh, portrayed by the talented Madeleine Stowe during the key timeline of 1962.
Fans of It Chapter Two perked up when episode five revealed Ingrid’s last name: Kersh. Yes, that Kersh! The same one who transforms into a creepy old lady that Beverly Marsh, played by Jessica Chastain, encounters during her haunting return to Derry. This link was solidified in the season finale, cheekily named “Winter Fire.”
In the gripping “Winter Fire” episode, we witness Ingrid’s transformation into a permanent resident of Juniper Hill after confronting Pennywise. Her chilling quest to lure him out resulted in realizing that he was no longer her father. To make matters worse, she was also caught in the Deadlights—a harrowing experience for anyone.
The storyline then jumps forward 26 years, where Ingrid Kersh meets a young Beverly Marsh at Juniper Hill. Beverly’s mother has just passed away, and the two characters’ paths cross in an intense moment, portrayed by Sophia Lillis, the very same actress from the films.
In an interview with Variety, Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, along with Jason Fuchs, shared that Lillis’ cameo was an addition made during reshoots. Andy mused about how Sophia always seems to retain her youthful look, making it easy to bring her back without special effects. They also reintroduced Joan Gregson, who played the elderly Ingrid Kersh in It Chapter 2. This connection seemed to complete the circle between the two narratives.
Sadly, Gregson passed away a few months later at the age of 91, but her role in Derry left a significant mark on the season’s ending and the entire It universe.
Jason Fuchs emphasized how this moment reshapes our understanding of Beverly’s terrifying encounter with the manifestation of Mrs. Kersh in It Chapter 2. Initially, it was thought that Pennywise took the form of Kersh to exploit Beverly’s relationship with her own father. After watching “Winter Fire,” viewers may realize Beverly’s meeting with the real Mrs. Kersh was more than just coincidence; it adheres tightly to her most traumatic memory—the day her mother committed suicide.
Now, you can catch all the hair-raising moments of It: Welcome to Derry Season One on HBO and HBO Max.
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