🔗 Share this article Don't Miss This Classic Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment HBO's Welcome to Derry is packed with nods to Stephen King's vast library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the show showcases a direct link to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story which merits a revisit. The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, especially in contrast with much of the author's additional writing, it remains a gripping story of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. And it's this specific penitentiary which is important here, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in It: Welcome to Derry. Some of the stories which mention Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we learn about the awful conditions at the state penitentiary and several of the inmates there, such as the partner of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who had been found guilty of armed robbery. So far, though, the most we have discovered about the prison was through the eyes of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, 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, before making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty. Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport appeared bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably destined for Shawshank. Though it is known he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?" The Implications for Hank and Ronnie Considering that the real murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him inside, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable. More importantly, though, this development could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are occurring in the town which no one, child or adult, understands and Ronnie just has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, however should Shawshank has any say, she could be without help. A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have three decades to tunnel his way out. It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.