What To Watch: It: Welcome To Derry, Down Cemetery Road, The Block, The Art Of and The Witcher

It: Welcome To Derry

Monday, streaming on Max

You know something’s shaping up to be terrific when the big man of horror himself, Mr Stephen King, gives a project the seal of approval.

He recently jumped on social media to give the first episode of this series his glowing endorsement, calling it “terrifying” — and, eek!

Based on King’s bestselling book, this prequel series is a continuation of the 2017 film It and its 2019 sequel It: Chapter Two, and sees the film’s director and producer, Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, expand the story alongside co-creator Jason Fuchs, drawing from “interludes” penned in King’s 1986 horror novel.

Set in 1962, this series takes a look at the history of the small country town of Derry and the part it plays in the evil entity It’s 27-year awakenings. Should subsequent series be green-lit (early chatter and King’s glowing praise certainly hint this could be the case), rumour has it they’ll jump backwards by 27-year increments.

This series sees a bunch of kids and adults front and centre, with the story kicking off with the disappearance of a local boy. It then expands to take a look at the disquiet, both societal and metaphysical, hovering beneath the surface of seemingly picturesque Derry.

Bill Skarsgard is the only cast member from the films to reprise his role, with the series exploring further the origins of his character, the terrifying Pennywise the Clown. There’s also speculation that other figures and motifs from the “King-verse” may pop up, with a character named Dick Hallorann (who will be familiar to fans of The Shining) mentioned, plus references to Shawshank State Prison.

Anticipation is mounting for this big-budget HBO series. If scaring yourself senseless is your thing, then get ready because, as King himself attests, this is shaping up to be truly terrifying.

Down Cemetery Road

Wednesday, streaming on Apple TV Plus

Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson star in this thrilling drama from the executive producers of Slow Horses. Based on the book by crime novelist Mick Herron, it sees Thompson play a private investigator who joins forces with an art curator (Wilson) to solve an intriguing case of a missing child. Slow Horses fans won’t want to miss this one — it’s clearly cut from the same cloth.

The Block finale

Sunday, 7pm, Nine

Last Sunday The Block celebrated a major milestone: 1000 episodes! This renovating show clearly stands the test of time, though, admittedly, there have been some missteps along the way (let’s never speak of last year again). This season has been another cracker, and I’ll be tuning in this Sunday to see which Daylesford home takes out the win. Britt and Taz — you’ve got this.

The Art Of

Tuesday, 9.15pm, ABC

Shout out to the little show that could! This program, fronted by co-hosts Namila Benson and Zoe Norton Lodge, is back — and it’s well worth your time. The first ep sees them catching up with “writer, comedian and mentalist” Lawrence Leung, to delve into the art of magic. Is it better to embrace the mystique or peek behind the curtain? It’s an age-old question, and one the hosts are off to investigate.

The Witcher

Friday, streaming on Netflix

It never ceases to amaze me how devoted fans of this fantasy series are. Four seasons in and it’s still going strong, though it will be interesting to see whether viewers continue to stick around now that Liam Hemsworth is sliding in to play Geralt, a character first inhabited by Henry Cavill. The hype is building and fans will want to jump aboard — if only for curiosity’s sake. One for rusted-on fans.