IT: Welcome to Derry Star Reveals What Rich Would Have Said to Marge at His Funeral

The recent TV show Welcome to Derry has become popular, and surprisingly, the character generating the most buzz isn’t the terrifying Pennywise. Instead, fans are captivated by Rich, played by Arian S. Cartaya. Rich’s touching love story with Marge Truman (Matilda Lawler) ended in heartbreak when The Black Spot burned down, and he bravely sacrificed himself to save her. But the show’s finale had a shocking twist: Rich wasn’t actually gone.

In a truly amazing turn of events, Rich’s courage is the unexpected force that defeats Pennywise and prevents the cosmic entity from escaping. The ending also includes a touching scene where Rich witnesses his own funeral, and Marge shares a moving eulogy.

After delivering that speech, what would Rich have said to Marge? Author Cartaya explored this question and his characters’ famous romance in a conversation with TopMob.

Cartaya shared that Rich would likely express his love simply and endlessly, saying something like, ‘I love you forever and ever, and I will always love you.’ He also admitted that Marge’s speech was so moving it brought him to tears, even while watching it on the monitors.

You can find more of TopMob’s interview with Arian S. Cartaya below. The first season of IT: Welcome to Derry is now available on HBO Max.

Arian S. Cartaya Reveals What Rich Would Have Said to Marge at the Funeral

Rich & Marge Have the Love Story of the Year.

TopMob: “The graveyard scene was very powerful as well. And you didn’t even have to say a word. You know, what was the experience like playing Rich at Rich’s own funeral? Was it like a weird, like—this is strange?”

Arian S. Cartaya recalled that the day on set felt strange, as he mostly just stood around with nothing to do. He especially remembered Blake [Cameron James]. After leaving the set, Blake was still visibly upset and crying, still processing the recent loss of his best friend – that was what was on his mind.
It’s amazing, but that’s the only scene I share with my parents in the whole project. Meeting them was a really special and emotional experience. Honestly, watching Marge’s speech on the monitors actually made me tear up – it was incredibly powerful.

TopMob: “If Rich could have said anything to Marge there at the end, what do you think he would have said?”

Cartaya thinks Rich would likely express his love very simply, probably saying something like ‘I love you forever and ever, and I will always love you.’ She believes that would be a very genuine and fitting thing for him to say as his final words.

TopMob: “Your love story with Marge is the stuff of legends right now. How does it feel to be the subject of the love story of the year?”

It feels amazing! I’m truly honored to be part of what people are calling the love story of the year, especially after watching so many great romances on TV. It’s just a wonderful feeling.

Arian S. Cartaya Explains How He Played Dead

Cartaya Was Told That He ‘Can’t Goof Around’ Like Normal

TopMob: “What direction did Andy give you in terms of how to perform, given that, you know, you are dead? What is that level of emotion or acknowledgement of just the situation around you?”

Arian S. Cartaya recalls his acting coach telling him a particular scene needed a serious approach. He explained that Arian often had a lot of energy and movement, but this scene required a more subdued and internal performance. The coach likely gave this direction to benefit the other actors, as Arian’s role in the scene was simply to play a corpse.
The other actors, particularly Matilda Lawler, delivered incredibly emotional performances. She really captured the feeling of losing someone you deeply trust, and it was amazing to watch. She’s a truly talented actress.

TopMob: “Obviously, you die in Episode 7, but that’s not the end. You get to be the miracle that saves the day. How did it feel to be the missing piece that helped defeat Pennywise?”

It’s a real honor to work on this. Andy’s creativity is incredible – his ideas can change instantly. And Rich wasn’t fearless when it came to Pennywise, so he sees him as just a normal clown. He genuinely wants to help the kids, especially The Losers, probably because he identifies with them and misses being part of that group. It’s a really great dynamic.

Filming Rich’s Tragic Death Scene in IT: Welcome to Derry

“I Think It Couldn’t Have Ended Any Better.”

TopMob: “Was there ever any talk of showing anything more of your death, or was it pretty much always kind of, we saw, your sacrifice and then the aftermath?”

From the start, the storyline focused on the sacrifice and what happened afterward. I didn’t realize until I read the script that Marge discovers Rich’s body behind the refrigerator, but it was a really fun scene to film. The fire effects were completely computer-generated, and seeing it all come together on the big screen was incredible.

TopMob: “Did you have trouble holding your breath long enough to be dead?”

We actually filmed that scene first thing in the morning. I initially thought I just needed to close my eyes and hold my breath for about 30 seconds. But the director, Andy, told me I had to keep my eyes open because it needed to look like I was truly dead – there was no coming back from it. So, the challenge became holding my eyes open and my breath for 30 seconds, which was pretty intense.

TopMob: “I saw a crazy comment online, and they were wrong, but they were like, ‘Oh, I was bummed that Marge lived,’ because they felt that it was unrealistic and lessened the stakes. I think that’s ridiculous, but you know, as her Knight in Shining Armor yourself, what are your thoughts on people that are like, ‘Oh, I wish that played out worse?'”

I’ve noticed a lot of people online saying the story should have involved a different character, often Marge, because they don’t seem to like her. But honestly, I think the ending was perfect as it was. Rich making the ultimate sacrifice for Marge, and her then becoming a fantastic mother – it couldn’t have played out any better.

I just finished a really interesting conversation with Russ Milheim from TopMob and Arian S. Cartaya, who you might recognize from the new series IT: Welcome to Derry. You can check out the full interview right here – it’s definitely worth a watch!

2025-12-17 03:07