🔗 Share this article Don't Miss One Classic Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is filled with references to Stephen King's wide-ranging collection of tales. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the series also features a direct connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved King story that deserves another look. The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered a horror film, especially compared to a lot of King's other work, it is a haunting story of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to spend his remaining years inside a infamous prison. And it's this specific institution which is central in this context, since Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in Welcome to Derry. Among the tales that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn about the awful conditions inside Shawshank State Prison plus several of those imprisoned within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was found guilty of armed robbery. Thus far, however, the most we have discovered 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 following his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by the officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to dig an escape route of the prison, before making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his liberty. The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned of Shawshank's involvement via an early trailer for the series, where a correctional transport appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is probably headed to the prison. Though we know he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?" The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter Considering that the actual murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he ends up in the prison and viewers do not see him inside, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his time there would be far from enjoyable. More importantly, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie just has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank has any say, she could be without help. A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to dig to freedom. Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.