🔗 Share this article Don't Miss One Iconic Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Next Episode The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's vast library of stories. Apart from the obvious ties to It, the show includes a direct connection to The Shining through the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved King story that deserves a revisit. The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption Although The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly in contrast with much of the author's additional work, it is a gripping tale of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live the rest of his life in a infamous penitentiary. And it's that very penitentiary that becomes central in this context, as the Shawshank facility holds significant lore across King's stories — a tradition that continues in It: Welcome to Derry. Some of the stories that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we learn about the awful conditions at Shawshank State Prison plus several of those imprisoned there, such as the partner of one of Pennywise's initial targets, who had been convicted of armed robbery. So far, however, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been via the eyes of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and abused by other prisoners, and exploited by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty. Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement from an initial preview for the show, where a correctional transport was seen bearing the title displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely headed to Shawshank. Though we know he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?" The Implications for the Character and Ronnie Considering that the real murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence appear slim. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, understanding what is known about that prison indicates that his experience would not be pleasant. Crucially, though, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are happening around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank plays a role, she could be without help. A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom. It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.