🔗 Share this article Don't Miss This Legendary Stephen King Movie Prior to the Series' Next Episode HBO's Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Apart from the obvious links to the original story, the show showcases a direct link to King's famous novel via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more classic tale from King which merits a revisit. The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be considered horror, especially in contrast with a lot of the author's additional writing, it remains a gripping story about an innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is that very institution which is central in this context, since the Shawshank facility possesses considerable history throughout King's stories — a pattern that continues within It: Welcome to Derry. Some of the tales that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the awful life at the state penitentiary and several of those imprisoned within, including the partner of one of Pennywise's early victims, who had been found guilty of armed robbery. Thus far, though, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy winds up at the prison after his wrongful conviction, then experiences assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and exploited by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty. The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned of Shawshank's involvement from an early trailer for the series, where a prison bus appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is probably destined for the prison. Although we know he was not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?" The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter Given that the real killer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would be far from enjoyable. Crucially, however, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are happening 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, but if Shawshank has any say, she may be without help. One thing seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom. It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.