Knuckles (TV series)
Knuckles is an upcoming American television miniseries created by John Whittington for the streaming service Paramount+, based on the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series published by Sega. It is a spin-off of the film Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), being part of the Sonic film series and the first live-action series in the franchise overall.

Idris Elba reprises his voice role as Knuckles from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and stars alongside Adam Pally, reprising his role as Wade. The series was announced in February 2022 during ViacomCBS's Investor event with Elba onboard. Production began in London, England in April 2023, with further casting and the creative team announced.

Knuckles is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ in late 2023.

Premise
Taking place between the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), the series follows Knuckles the Echidna as he trains deputy sheriff Wade Wipple in the ways of the Echidna warrior.

Cast and characters

Main cast
 Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna:A hot-headed and serious anthropomorphic red echidna with super strength. Elba said the series would explore Knuckles being "a fish out of water" after moving to Earth at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022).
 Adam Pally as Wade Whipple, a deputy sheriff of Green Hills and Tom's friend, who Knuckles will train to be an Echidna Warrior.

Recurring cast
 Edi Patterson
 Julian Barratt
 Scott Mescudi
 Ellie Taylor

Guest cast
 Rory McCann
 Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, Tom's wife, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles' adoptive mother and the local veterinarian of Green Hills.

Additionally, Cary Elwes, Stockard Channing, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer, and Rob Huebel have been cast in undisclosed roles.

Episodes

Additional directors include Jorma Taccone, Carol Banker, Brandon Trost, and Ged Wright.

Production

Development
By February 2022, development had begun on a Sonic the Hedgehog series focusing on Knuckles the Echidna for release on Paramount+ in 2023. Sega and Paramount Pictures officially announced the series' development at the ViacomCBS Investor Day presentation in February, with Idris Elba confirmed to be reprising his role of Knuckles from the then-upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) and the series serving as a spin-off of the film. In June 2022, Paramount CEO Brian Robbins referred to the series as a miniseries.

In April 2023, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 co-writer John Whittington was announced as the series' developer and head writer. Whittington will also executive produce the series alongside Elba and Sonic film franchise creatives Neal H. Moritz and Toby Ascher of Original Film, Jeff Fowler, and Toru Nakahara. Paramount Pictures and Sega would serve as production companies on the series. It was also reported that the series would follow Knuckles as he trains Wade Wipple, with Adam Pally reprising his role as Wade. Also cast in recurring roles were Edi Patterson, Julian Barratt, Scott Mescudi, and Ellie Taylor, with guest stars including Rory McCann as well as Tika Sumpter reprising her role as Maddie. Additional cast members were confirmed, including Cary Elwes, Stockard Channing, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer, and Rob Huebel in June 2023.

Writing
The series had been in the writing stages by April, with Whittington writing alongside Brian Schacter and James Madejski. The series is set between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), and will include easter eggs to set-up the events of the latter.

Filming
Production on the series began by April 2023, in London, England. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 director Jeff Fowler directed the pilot, with Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone and Carol Banker also serving as directors. Trost also serves as cinematographer for the pilot, after having done so on Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Filming took place in varying locations including Pinewood Studios, Black Park, Slough and an unknown location in an industrial estate in Aylesbury.

Release
Knuckles is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ in late 2023.

Notes

References

External links
 

2020s American comedy television series
2023 American television series debuts
Upcoming comedy television series
American action adventure television series
American television shows based on video games
American television spin-offs
English-language television shows
Live action television shows based on video games
Paramount+ original programming
Television shows shot in London
Works based on Sonic the Hedgehog
Television shows filmed at Pinewood Studios