Who is Bob Gray in It: Welcome to Derry? Bill Skarsgard’s second role explained

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The sixth episode of ‘Welcome to Derry’ brought back Bob Gray, played by Bill Skarsgard – marking his second role in the series. Here’s a breakdown of who Bob Gray is and his significance to the story.

The episode began with a striking black and white flashback to 1935, showing a nurse leading a young girl into the basement of Juniper Hill Asylum. The girl was there to discover why a mysterious man had requested a late-night meeting. Soon after, a creepy red balloon appeared, quickly snatched by Pennywise.

The show is really utilizing the clown character now that it’s finally appeared. This episode also thoughtfully explores the backstory of Bob Gray, the person who originally inspired the creature to become Pennywise.

Alexander Skarsgård returns as Bob Gray, the character he briefly played in IT: Chapter Two, where he frightened Beverly Marsh (Jessica Chastain). However, the series introduces an unexpected accomplice for the clown.

Who is Bob Gray in It: Welcome to Derry?

Bob Gray was the first actor to portray Pennywise. He traveled with a circus alongside his daughter, Ingrid Kersh (played by Madeleine Stowe), who also performed as a clown named Periwinkle. In 1908, during one of It’s periods of activity, It took over Bob Gray’s form while taking Ingrid as a host.

The reason for It adopting Gray’s version of Pennywise isn’t yet known, but the show will explain it in future seasons. A second flashback to 1935 Juniper Hill reveals a younger Nurse Kersh (Tyner Rushing) couldn’t save a little girl from Pennywise. However, when she looks through the window, she sees her father’s face instead of the monster.

In 1962, Ingrid confides in Lilly (Clara Stack) that she suspects her father and Pennywise are one and the same. She tells Lilly he seems different, possibly altered by past experiences or travels.

She explains that she puts on her Periwinkle costume hoping that if he sees her as she used to be, it will remind him of their love and help him overcome whatever is holding him back.

It turns out she was the clown seen in the graveyard in Episode 3 – the one the kids photographed! Currently, Ingrid appears to be trying to help Bob Gray, but could she actually be working with Pennywise in secret?

Ingrid might be feeding Pennywise the children of Derry to get Bob Gray back

The 1935 flashback suggests Ingrid might not have been truly upset by the young girl’s death. While she initially attempted a rescue, it appeared she let it happen after seeing Pennywise.

Considering all of this, it seems Ingrid might be giving Pennywise children from Derry, hoping to get Bob Gray back, or at least be able to see him again when Pennywise returns every 27 years. Her strong reaction to Lilly’s story about seeing Pennywise in the sewer shows that Ingrid hasn’t seen him in a while and is overjoyed by his return.

Ingrid really got to me when she said, “Lilly, you especially should get it. If you had the chance to see your dad again, to just hold him and be his little girl, wouldn’t you do absolutely anything to make that happen?” It just hit different, you know?

Ingrid is destined for a terrifying connection with Pennywise. She’s revealed to be the elderly woman who attacks Beverly in IT: Chapter Two. It appears she’ll suffer the same fate as her father and fall under Pennywise’s control before the first season of Welcome to Derry ends.

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2025-12-01 15:50