Dick Hallorann’s Potential Spinoff Addressed By Welcome To Derry Star After Finale

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for the season 1 finale of IT: Welcome to Derry. Following the finale, Chris Chalk, who plays a younger version of Dick Hallorann (a character from The Shining), discussed the potential for a spin-off series focusing on his character in the HBO prequel.

In Welcome to Derry, a connection is made to The Shining when Dick reveals he’s moving away to become a cook at a hotel in London – a key step that will eventually lead him to the Overlook Hotel in Colorado and an encounter with the Torrance family. This link, combined with the strong positive reaction to actor Chalk’s performance, has led many fans online to request a spin-off series exploring the events leading up to The Shining.

In an interview with TV Insider, actor Rob Chalk mentioned he’d love to star in a spin-off series centered around his character, Dick, and has actually suggested it to producers. Here’s what he had to say:

I’ve presented the idea! I also suggested that Dick is incredibly capable, and since he’s now linked to the universe, we shouldn’t break that connection.

Chalk explained that the finale of Welcome to Derry echoes elements of The Shining. He also pointed out that Dick is still developing into the character fans recognize, and isn’t as emotionally recovered as he appears, suggesting this will be a key part of his story in the upcoming spin-off.

I always believe you shouldn’t draw attention to the fact you’re telling a story, but with the main drama resolved, we wanted to allow ourselves some playful moments. It also felt connected to Chris Chalk’s own hopes for his character, Dick, and seeing where his journey could lead. For me, Dick stepping into the unknown felt really hopeful. The cool thing is, I have a sense of where he ends up in the future – decades from now – and I’m already fascinated by how he gets there. What will it take for him to become that calmer, more controlled version of himself, compared to the Dick we know now? Because even though the show is over, he’s far from healed. He’s just had a breakdown, really, so I have a strong feeling Dick is still going to be struggling for a long time.

I’m really encouraged by the fact that Rainn Wilson is so enthusiastic about revisiting his character, Dwight Schrute, in a potential spinoff. What’s even more exciting is hearing about the specific ideas he has for storylines. It sounds like he’s not just wanting to star in it, but really shape the creative direction of the show, potentially even as an executive producer. That level of involvement could be fantastic for the series and ensure it truly feels like his Dwight’s story.

Watching season one of Welcome to Derry, I was really struck by Dick’s growth. His choice to protect those kids definitely foreshadows his later dedication to helping Danny Torrance – it felt like a crucial origin point. Honestly, the show only scratched the surface of who Dick is – his powers, his feelings, everything. There’s so much potential there, I’d be first in line for a spinoff exploring his backstory.

One of the most interesting things this spin-off could explore is whether Dick Grayson actually recovered after taking the Maturin root. The finale seemed to suggest he’s doing better, but honestly, I’m with Chalk on this one – I don’t buy it. It feels like Dick still has a long way to go, both in controlling his powers and finding some real peace within himself.

I’m really hoping we get more of the story after IT: Welcome to Derry season 1! While a second season seems uncertain, and going back to 1935 would likely leave Chalk’s character behind, I think a spin-off series focusing on the years between season 1 and The Shining would be perfect. It would allow us to continue exploring Chalk’s story and see what happens next, which I’d absolutely love!

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2025-12-18 04:08