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# Knuckles voice actor Idris Elba set to receive British state honour
- URL: https://news.tailschannel.com/knuckles-voice-actor-idris-elba-set-to-receive-british-state-honour/
- Published: 2025-12-30T01:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-18T17:08:53.000Z
- Description: The award-winning British actor, who voices Knuckles the Echidna in Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog films, is set to receive a knighthood.
- Author: Tails' Channel
- Tags: Offbeat, Movie, #news

British actor Idris Elba will receive a knighthood in the United Kingdom's New Years Honours list, King Charles III announced on Monday. 

**Why it matters:** The voice of Knuckles the Echidna in Paramount's Sonic films is being knighted for his charity work, but the honour also places the East London native among a small group of knighted actors with notable video game roles.

[New Year Honours 2026: Idris Elba knighted as Sarina Wiegman and Lionesses recognisedIce skaters Torvill and Dean, and members of the winning Lionesses and Red Roses receive gongs.![](https://news.tailschannel.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-4.png)BBC News![](https://news.tailschannel.com/content/images/thumbnail/8f5d6d00-e4ba-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg)](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrkgzy52keo?ref=news.tailschannel.com)

**The intrigue:** Once formally invested, his credits will list him as *Sir* Idris Elba, making Knuckles one of the few video game characters portrayed by a real-life knight.

- Elba has voiced the Echidna since the second *Sonic* film and is expected to continue in upcoming films, including *Sonic the Hedgehog 4*.
- He also stars in the *Knuckles* spin-off series, the franchise's first live-action television project for Paramount Plus.

**Between the lines:** As the British Broadcasting Corporation notes, Elba's acting career includes breakthrough roles in various television programmes, like in the HBO series *The Wire*, along with film performances like in the Netflix drama *Beasts of No Nation*.

- "I receive this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation," Elba said, per the public broadcaster.

**The big picture:** The New Year Honours List, awarded by the British Crown, recognizes contributions across public life and culture.

- Elba's knighthood highlights his work on anti-knife crime initiatives and the Elba Hope Foundation to support community organizations across the world.