'IT: Welcome to Derry' star Taylour Paige on 'visceral' season finale
- - 'IT: Welcome to Derry' star Taylour Paige on 'visceral' season finale
Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAYDecember 16, 2025 at 8:17 AM
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Spoiler alert! The following contains details from the Season 1 finale of "IT: Welcome to Derry" on HBO Max.
In HBO's "IT: Welcome to Derry," Charlotte Hanlon is all heart.
Taylour Paige's Charlotte is the ultimate housewife, taking care of her son, Will (Blake Cameron James), and supporting her husband, Leroy (Jovan Adepo), as they move to Derry, Maine, in the early 1960s.
There, Leroy is part of a top-secret military operation, and Charlotte is trying to find her place in the small town through advocacy.
Meanwhile, Will and his friends are trying to overcome Pennywise the clown, who is terrorizing their minds and feeding on the fear of everyone around them. In the season finale, Charlotte finds out that the malevolent villain took their son, leading to an emotional meltdown.
Taylour Paige as Charlotte, Blake Cameron James as Will and Jovan Adepo as Major Leroy Hanlon in "IT: Welcome to Derry."
"I wasn't a mother when I shot that, but something visceral and feral came out. The idea of something happening to my child, who wasn't even here yet, took me by surprise, like what happened to my body. It's almost like I was convulsing," Paige tells USA TODAY.
The award-winning actress, also known for her roles in "Zola," "Hit The Floor," and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," gave birth to a baby boy earlier this year and, in hindsight, can understand her character's frustration.
"It's really scary to love so much. I feel so raw. I feel literally like I'm like a heart walking around," she says. "I think that with all that love comes all the fear of losing it … or not honoring it."
The real story behind 'Zola': Taylour Paige spills on how a jaw-dropping Twitter thread turned into an even crazier film
First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/v3s0l1aL4XuFD5ihKNWsuw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/159d6687153a88ce5974cf3d0104bd9f class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
">Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/v3s0l1aL4XuFD5ihKNWsuw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/159d6687153a88ce5974cf3d0104bd9f class=caas-img>'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2xeSx5AbdwlkxNbFazHfGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/12516976efb1f1a21b6277b29a0246de class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
">'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2xeSx5AbdwlkxNbFazHfGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/12516976efb1f1a21b6277b29a0246de class=caas-img>'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MmhRQOcBKE.zpA3Xr0k18w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3ad794ca9d90c86a5af86331dcb1d347 class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
">'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MmhRQOcBKE.zpA3Xr0k18w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3ad794ca9d90c86a5af86331dcb1d347 class=caas-img>'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qdE9KFtak2bXKd.1M_lknA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f67ed3412df7ed8557f864353d034931 class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
">'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qdE9KFtak2bXKd.1M_lknA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f67ed3412df7ed8557f864353d034931 class=caas-img>'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9Kn6OBlZ9p24Zc_9yLE1SQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/51092809290b05016d900ff8fa6dcd2a class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
">'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9Kn6OBlZ9p24Zc_9yLE1SQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/51092809290b05016d900ff8fa6dcd2a class=caas-img>'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YEuot.uCksPjSfNCpxFIEQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c8213e39ffb9af0edb6835f5c4b1d67f class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
">'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YEuot.uCksPjSfNCpxFIEQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c8213e39ffb9af0edb6835f5c4b1d67f class=caas-img>'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/saS6L3AiThFDE.VPNSswNg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01NjQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/58697b8da4ea5fee4533e224f9db49ab class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
">'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/saS6L3AiThFDE.VPNSswNg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01NjQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/58697b8da4ea5fee4533e224f9db49ab class=caas-img>'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/e187G9HJCXabIzEivCIMZg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7c6666735d1a82e2ea44a50313b6717 class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
">'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/e187G9HJCXabIzEivCIMZg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7c6666735d1a82e2ea44a50313b6717 class=caas-img>'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zA.DKO4uvUxxu0BNUPLb5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/12032690b2c46d7dd876d48b8812b776 class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
">'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zA.DKO4uvUxxu0BNUPLb5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/12032690b2c46d7dd876d48b8812b776 class=caas-img>'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/B_A0hk_8IcjXa3zrrtKnDg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05OTQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4b874388cb3cb0b4b4ba53ca2e0aaa6a class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
">'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/B_A0hk_8IcjXa3zrrtKnDg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05OTQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4b874388cb3cb0b4b4ba53ca2e0aaa6a class=caas-img>
1 / 10These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall
Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
'Welcome to Derry' character Charlotte is 'courageous'
Paige has publicly shared her disdain for scary movies, stating that the real world is already "too crazy." But she was still drawn to Charlotte after a lengthy conversation with two of the show's creators, Andy and Barbara Muschietti.
"I love that there's just so much texture in the 1962 period. I pick things because I feel afraid, inspired, challenged," she says adding, "I had a lot of freedom to kind of make Charlotte as specific as I wanted her to be. And so I took a little bit of The Supremes, Diana Ross, and my grandmother. Diahann Carroll's in there, and Betty Davis even is in there."
Taylor Paige in "IT Welcome to Derry."
Throughout the critically acclaimed horror series, viewers quickly learn there's more to Charlotte beyond her family and polished demeanor, emphasizing her nature to protect. In Episode 2, she defends a boy against a group of bullies across the street from the butcher shop.
She makes a statement in a viral scene from Episode 4 when she demands that the police allow her to visit Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), a Black man falsely accused of murdering children at the local movie theater. His arrest is motivated by racial tensions in Derry and highlights Charlotte's eagerness to fight against injustice.
When an officer gave her a hard time, she pushes back, "If you don’t let me see Hank Grogan right now, by tomorrow morning, I'll have MLK, JFK, RFK, and a whole bunch of other FK's breathing down your neck."
Paige sees Charlotte as a complex, repressed character who begins to slowly unravel: "I don't think Charlotte's actually fearless. I think she's courageous. You can hold both of those things: You can be full of fear, but also know what's right and want to live what your heart tells you."
'It: Welcome to Derry' cast: Chris Chalk teases 'monster' trouble
Taylour Paige was 'shocked' that the Hanlons stayed in Derry
By Episode 7, a racist mob attacks a predominantly Black hangout dubbed "The Black Spot" in search of Hank, who escapes from custody while en route to prison. Picture-perfect Derry has greater horrors outside of Pennywise, making it the ultimate setting for the supernatural shape-shifting creature to thrive, the actress says.
While the majority of Black patrons inside the building are being shot or burned, the jovial, blood-thirsty clown is having an abundant feast in the midst of the violence.
Leroy (Jovan Adepo) and Charlotte Hanlon (Taylour Paige) are new to a very strange Maine town in "It: Welcome to Derry."
"This is a space that is attractive to Pennywise. It's funny, not that Pennywise is a scapegoat, but it's the perfect ingredients for Pennywise to enjoy himself because it's a bunch of chaos and hate," Paige says.
In the final scene, the Hanlons decide to stay in Derry despite their entire life-altering experience, after Rose (Kimberly Guerrero) offers them her farm.
"I was so shocked when I read it, and made it so that Charlotte is the reason they stay in Derry. … But that's very 1962, right?" she recalled. "You get back to business. I think about all the dreams … that died with women of that time.
"To think of Charlotte being the one who's like, 'Maybe we stay here,' was so crazy to me."
'Welcome to Derry' star Taylour Paige on Stephen King: 'Pennywise is an icon'
Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon in "It: Welcome to Derry."
"IT: Welcome to Derry," based on Stephen King's novel and serving as a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 "IT" movies, has shattered debut viewership records on HBO Max.
Each Sunday, the show has taken over social media discourse, even prompting in-depth episode analysis and comedic videos about Pennywise on platforms like TikTok. Paige said the series' cultural impact is not surprising.
"Stephen King … he's given us so much. I also think we did great work," she said. "Pennywise is an icon, and I think Bill Skarsgård is an icon. All the amazing people I worked with gave it their all."
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Welcome to Derry' star on season finale, Pennywise, Stephen King
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
