Ever since the character was introduced as a secondary antagonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 game 30 years ago, Knuckles the Echidna has been not only one of the strongest characters in the franchise but also one of its most popular video game characters of all time. The Echidna warrior with his massive hands, ability to fly, and overly serious demeanor has popped up time and time again on various Sonic TV shows and movies, but never has he been the main attraction. Well, that’s about to change…
Soon, anyone with a Paramount+ subscription will be able to watch Knuckles, a new live-action/CGI hybrid show set in the Sonic the Hedgehog cinematic universe, with Idris Elba returning to play the blue blur’s enemy-turned-friend in his own adventure. But, before it comes out, here are a few things we know about the upcoming series that you won’t want to miss.
What Is The Knuckles Premiere Date?
We don’t have to wait all that much time to see Knuckles in action, as Paramount+ has announced that the live-action/CGI hybrid series will make its streaming debut on Friday, April 26th, a little more than two years after audiences first met the character in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
How Many Episodes Of Knuckles Will There Be?
Paramount+ has announced that the Knuckles TV show will consist of six episodes, but that isn’t even the best part. All six of those episodes will be available to stream on Friday, April 26th.
The Knuckles Trailer Showcases The Echidna Warrior’s Powerful Skills And Introduces Some Awesome Tech
Those who have been anxiously waiting for footage of Knuckles ever since the show was first announced back in 2022 were in for a real treat in early February 2024 when Paramount+ released the first official trailer. Clocking in at more than two-and-a-half minutes, this explosive, enlightening, and hilarious preview has a lot going for it with its displays of Knuckles’ powerful skills and some awesome tech being used by Game of Thrones alum Rory McCann and various other villains.
But the first Knuckles trailer also sees the return of Ben Schwartz’s Sonic the Knuckles, which is really cool to see, especially for those of us who were wondering if the Blue Blur was going to be showing up for the Paramount+ series. It doesn’t look like either Sonic or Tails will be around all that long, but Adam Pally’s Wade Whipple appears to be a good ally, if he can pass Knuckles’ training program first.
The Series Follows Knuckles As He Trains Wade Whipple In The Ways Of The Echidna Warrior
Not a whole lot about the Knuckles plot has been revealed, but Paramount+ has announced the main focus of the upcoming streaming series. The show will follow Knuckles, who is now a good guy after making a truce with Sonic and Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, as he trains Wade Whipple in the ways of the Echidna warrior. The lovable yet dim-witted deputy sheriff has come through strong in the past, and this could very well be the next step in his journey.
Judging by Rory McCann’s mysterious villain, known as the Buyer, and the two agents played by Scott Mescudi and Ellie Taylor, getting ahold of some powerful weapons, the fearless yet outmanned warrior could use all the help he can get.
Knuckles Will Take Place Prior To The Events Of Sonic The Hedgehog 3
When the Knuckles series was announced back in February 2022, there were no details about where the show would fall on the Sonic the Hedgehog timeline, but a little more than a year later, Paramount+ announced that the streaming series would take place between the second and third movies. This means that Knuckles, Wade, and other characters will be dealing with the aftershocks of the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ending, and it could very well be a bridge between the two movies.
This doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll be seeing the return of Dr. Robotnik at the end of the series, but with Variety reporting that Jim Carrey is coming back for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.
Idris Elba And Adam Pally Lead The Knuckles TV Show Cast
Idris Elba and Adam Pally will be leading the Knuckles cast and reprising their respective roles when Knuckles premieres this spring, but they won’t be alone. Let’s take a look at the rest of the Knuckles cast.
Idris Elba (Knuckles)
Idris Elba, who has led iconic series like The Wire and Luther over the years, will be front and center of the action on Knuckles. This won’t be the first time Elba has returned to the small screen with one of his animated movie characters, as he reprised his role as Chief Bogo on the Disney+ streaming series, Zootopia+.
Adam Pally (Wade Whipple)
Adam Pally has played the dim-witted Green Hills deputy sheriff Wade Whipples since the beginning of the Sonic franchise, but it looks like the Mindy Project star gets even more screentime this time around.
Rory McCann (The Buyer)
Rory McCann will forever be remembered for his portrayal of Sandor “The Hound” Clegane on Game of Thrones, but his take on The Buyer on Knuckles could be his next iconic role. At least it will be his most villainous in some time.
Christopher Lloyd (Mac)
In June 2023, Paramount+ announced that Back to the Future icon Christopher Lloyd had joined the Knuckles cast, but not a lot was known about his role at the time. Well, the streaming has since revealed that Lloyd will play Mac, an older Echidna warrior
Cary Elwes (Pistol Pete Whipple)
Cary Elwes, of The Princess Bride and Stranger Things fame, has also been a part of the Knuckles cast since June 2023, and now Paramount+ has revealed that he’ll be playing Pistol Pete Whipple, Wade’s relative and professional bowler.
Scott Mescudi (Agent Mason)
Scott Mescudi, who also goes by the stage name Kid Cudi, has been making waves as an actor over the past few years, and he’ll continue that forward momentum when he plays Agent Mason, a villain trying to hunt down Knuckles on the new series.
Ellie Taylor (Agent Willoughby)
English comedian and actress Ellie Taylor will also be a part of the Knuckles cast this April, as she will be playing Agent Willoughby, another antagonist trying to get their hands on the Echidna warrior.
Ben Schwartz’s Sonic The Hedgehog Leads The List Of Guest Characters
On top of all the names listed above, Knuckles will see several of the characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog movies return for at least a little bit of action.
Ben Schwartz (Sonic)
As seen in the trailer above, Ben Schwartz will once again be voicing Sonic, though it’s not really known how much of the speedster we’ll see when Knuckles premieres. But hey, a little Sonic is better than no Sonic.
Tika Sumpter (Maddie Wachowski)
Though it doesn’t look like James Marsden’s Tom Wachowski will be showing up on Knuckles, his wife, Maddie, will be around for some of the upcoming series. Paramount+ has announced that Tika Sumpter will be hanging around Green Hills.
Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Miles ‘Tails’ Prower)
Colleen O’Shaughnessey is also returning in a guest spot and the actress will once again be voicing Miles “Tails” Prower, a fan-favorite character from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
The Creative Team Behind The Sonic The Hedgehog Movies Is Involved With The Knuckles Series
The Knuckles TV show should feel very similar to the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, as the creative team behind the franchise is taking part in the upcoming streaming series. Paramount+ has announced that Jeff Fowler, who directed the 2020 and 2022 theatrical releases, is back to helm the pilot episode. John Whittington, one of the writers for Sonic the Hedgehog 2, wrote the Knuckles pilot episode and will also serve as the show’s head writer, in addition to coming on as an executive producer. Other writers include Brian Schacter and James Madejski, while other directors include Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone, and Carol Banker.
Expect to hear more about Knuckles and the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in the coming weeks, as we get closer to their respective debuts. But in the meantime, go ahead and check out our 2024 TV schedule for all the latest on all the new and returning shows coming out this year.
