'IT' Star's Shocking Admission: Strike Saved Show?! You Won't Believe Why!

Hollywood's strikes are usually seen as a major disruption, and for good reason. But sometimes, a silver lining emerges from the chaos. That seems to be the case for Stephen Rider, one of the stars of the upcoming HBO series "IT: Welcome to Derry." Rider, who plays Hank Grogan, a movie projectionist caught up in some serious Derry-related drama, found an unexpected benefit from the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes: a stronger connection with his on-screen daughter, Amanda Christine.

'IT' Star's Shocking Admission: Strike Saved Show?...

Filming for the highly anticipated "IT" prequel was well underway when the strikes brought everything to a screeching halt. While the production shutdown undoubtedly created logistical headaches for everyone involved, Rider saw it as an opportunity. "I think the biggest blessing is that we came back and we had a genuine relationship that transcended, just me and her," Rider explained. It's rare you hear an actor speak so candidly about the off-screen relationships informing on-screen chemistry, but his comments feel authentic.

And he didn't stop there, adding, "Our families know each other, and we still talk. And so, I love Amanda. And I didn’t have to pretend on loving her." That's powerful stuff, especially when you consider the context of the characters they portray. Rider, a Black actor, plays a father figure to Christine's character, Ronnie, and building trust was paramount. He elaborated, "But the fact that we learned how to love each other, and more so, especially for Black women, she had to learn how to trust me."

Rider went on to say, "And I think it was important for me to allow her to recognize that she could lean on me, she could depend on me, and I was consistent, and I would show up, not just on set, but show up. And because of it, I believe we were able to hopefully transcend what the pages quote unquote said.” It’s clear Rider took his responsibility to build a believable, heartfelt relationship very seriously.

Of course, the strikes weren't all sunshine and roses. Co-creator Barbara Muschietti previously shared some of the production challenges. Apparently, about "90% of three episodes" had been shot when the shutdown occurred, leading to some tricky reshoots and storyline adjustments. The change in seasons proved particularly difficult. “We suddenly had to work in different seasons,” she explained, which meant they had to rework the finale. Muschietti also noted the challenges of working with a young cast during the break, as the actors grew and changed. It's a testament to the cast and crew that they were able to navigate these hurdles and, in some cases, even find unexpected benefits amidst the turmoil. I, for one, am excited to see how this enhanced connection translates onscreen.