NYCC 2025: HBO MAX Panels with IT, Knight of the 7 Kingdoms & Adventure Time

HBO Max kicked off New York Comic Con 2025 by daring fans to enter the chilling world of IT: WELCOME TO DERRY with “Face Your Fears,” an immersive horror fan experience. The experience, open for the remainder of New York Comic Con, is set in a nostalgically familiar yet deeply unsettling 1960s child’s bedroom, bringing childhood fears to life. Beginning on Thursday, the A.I driven activation delivered personalized experiences to fans utilizing various interactive elements. For those who could withstand the terror, the journey culminated in a frightening finale featuring the looming threat of Pennywise. Cast and creatives from the HBO Original series summoned the courage to make their way through the activation on Saturday, October 11, including Andy Muschietti (Director, EP), Barbara Muschietti (EP), Jason Fuchs (Co-Showrunner, EP), Brad Caleb Kane (Co-Showrunner, EP), Jovan Adepo (Leroy Hanlon), Taylour Paige (Charlotte Hanlon), Chris Chalk (Dick Hallorann), James Remar (General Shaw), Stephen Rider (Hank) and Kimberly Guerrero (Rose).

Photo Credits: Zach Dilgard/HBO

In addition to the fan experience, HBO Max hosted special panels with first look footage for the highly anticipated and upcoming HBO Original series IT: WELCOME TO DERRY, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS and season two of ADVENTURE TIME: FIONNA AND CAKE.  

On Thursday, October 9, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin, Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ira Parker, and stars Peter Claffey (Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall) and Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) introduced the new HBO Original series and welcomed excited fans back into the world of Westeros, a century before “Game of Thrones” is set. Fans in the room were the first to see the trailer for the new series which revealed the series’ debut this January 18, 2026. The panel took place at Empire Stage was moderated by Brandon Davis, host of “Phase Hero: A Film & TV Podcast.”

On Saturday, October 11, IT: WELCOME TO DERRY cast and creatives treated a packed room full of fans to an exclusive look at never-before-seen footage and a special red band, uncensored version trailer from the series. Panelists included Andy Muschietti (Director, EP), Barbara Muschietti (EP), Jason Fuchs (Co-Showrunner, EP), Brad Caleb Kane (Co-Showrunner, EP), Jovan Adepo (Leroy Hanlon), Taylour Paige (Charlotte Hanlon), Chris Chalk (Dick Hallorann), James Remar (General Shaw), Stephen Rider (Hank) and Kimberly Guerrero (Rose). The panel took place at Empire Stage and was moderated by Perri Nemiroff, Senior Host & Producer at Collider.

On Sunday, October 12, ADVENTURE TIME: FIONNA AND CAKE executive producer and showrunner Adam Muto and voice cast members Madeleine Martin, Roz Ryan, and Ashly Burch will give fans an exclusive sneak peek at the multiversal adventures that await in season two of the Max Original series from Cartoon Network Studios, “Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake.” The panel will take place at the Main Stage with journalist Christian Holub moderating the discussion.

HBO Original Series IT: WELCOME TO DERRY premieres October 26 on HBO and HBO Max.

HBO Original Series A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS will debut on HBO and HBO Max on January 18, 2026.

Season two of the Max Original Animated Series ADVENTURE TIME: FIONNA AND CAKE premieres October 23 on HBO Max.

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