Don't Miss This Iconic Stephen King Cinematic Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to the author's vast collection of tales. Apart from the clear links to It, the show also features a direct link to The Shining via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional writing, it is a haunting story of a wrongfully convicted man condemned to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific institution which is important here, as the Shawshank facility holds considerable history across King's stories — a tradition that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we discover about the awful conditions inside Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates there, including the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, however, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, then finds himself beaten and abused by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by the authority figures for his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences first learned of Shawshank's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport appeared bearing the title painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Although we know he did not responsible for the child deaths initially, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world hunting and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and viewers do not see him inside, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be pleasant.
More importantly, however, this development would endanger his daughter. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and she only has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She will require her father as the story progresses, but if Shawshank plays a role, she could be out of luck.
One thing is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly each Sunday.