One of the more interesting aspects of “IT: Welcome to Derry” is the way it brings The Shining character Dick Hallorann into the world of Pennywise, providing us with more details about his pre-Overlook Hotel life than Stephen King fans have ever gotten before. Hallorrann was mentioned in King’s novel IT, but the prequel series fleshes out the life of a young Hallorann.

Actor Chris Chalk (Godzilla vs. Kong) plays Dick Hallorann in “IT: Welcome to Derry,” making him the fourth actor to portray the character on screen. Gifted with the...