Knuckles (TV series)
| Knuckles | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
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| Based on | Sonic the Hedgehog by Sega[a] |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Tom Holkenborg |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Paramount+ |
| Related | |
| Sonic the Hedgehog film series | |
Knuckles is an upcoming American television miniseries created by John Whittington and Toby Ascher for the streaming service Paramount+, based on the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series published by Sega.[3] 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 reprised his voice role as Knuckles the Echidna 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+ on April 26, 2024, with all six episodes.
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 Whipple in the ways of the Echidna warrior.[4]
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).[5] - Adam Pally as Wade Whipple, a deputy sheriff of Green Hills, who Knuckles will train to be an Echidna Warrior.[4]
Recurring cast
- Cary Elwes as "Pistol" Pete Whipple: An eccentric 27-time championship bowler and a relative of Wade's.[6][7]
- Edi Patterson[4]
- Julian Barratt as Jack Sinclair[4]
- Scott Mescudi as Agent Mason[4]
- Ellie Taylor as Agent Willoughby[4]
Guest cast
- Rory McCann as The Buyer[4]
- Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, Knuckles' adoptive mother and the local veterinarian of Green Hills.[4]
- Ben Schwartz as Sonic the Hedgehog, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds.
- Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Miles "Tails" Prower, an anthropomorphic amber fox who can fly with his twin-tails.
Additionally, Stockard Channing, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer, and Rob Huebel have been cast in undisclosed roles.
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by [4] | Written by [3] | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Warrior" | Jeff Fowler | John Whittington | April 26, 2024 |
The second through sixth episodes are written by John Whittington, Brian Schacter, James Madejski, and Brian Schacter respectively.[3] Jorma Taccone, Carol Banker, Brandon Trost, and Ged Wright directed episodes.[4]
Production
Development
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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.[8][9] In June 2022, Paramount CEO Brian Robbins referred to the series as a miniseries.[10]
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.[4] 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.[4] Additional cast members were confirmed, including Cary Elwes, Stockard Channing, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer, and Rob Huebel in June 2023.[6]
Writing
The series had been in the writing stages by April 2022,[5] with Whittington writing alongside Brian Schacter and James Madejski.[4] 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.[10][4]
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.[4]
Release
Knuckles is set to premiere on Paramount+ on February 26, 2024, with all six episodes.[11]
Notes
- ^ Sonic the Hedgehog was developed by Sonic Team, published by Sega, directed and programmed by Yuji Naka, designed by Hirokazu Yasuhara, and illustrated by Naoto Ohshima.[1][2]
References
- ^ "The bizarre evolution of Sonic the Hedgehog". Business Insider. February 13, 2020. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ "How Sega conquered the video games industry – and then threw it all away". The Independent. February 16, 2020. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Knuckles". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Otterson, Joe (April 17, 2023). "'Sonic the Hedgehog' Spinoff Series 'Knuckles' at Paramount+ Sets Cast, Including Adam Pally, Tika Sumpter". Variety. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ a b Zinski, Dan (April 6, 2022). "Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles TV Show Update Shared By Idris Elba". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Petski, Denise (June 14, 2023). "Cary Elwes, Stockard Channing, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer & Rob Huebel Join 'Sonic The Hedgehog' Spinoff Series 'Knuckles'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ McPherson, Chris (July 5, 2023). "Cary Elwes Says 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One' Is The Biggest Action Blockbuster in History". Collider. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (February 15, 2022). "Sonic The Hedgehog Universe Continues To Grow As Sega And Paramount Sign Off On Third Film As Well As A 'Knuckles' Spin-Off Series In The Works At Paramount+ With Idris Elba Reprising Role". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (February 15, 2022). "'Sonic the Hedgehog' Spinoff Series About Knuckles Set at Paramount Plus". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ a b "How Sonic 3 Will Connect To Idris Elba's Knuckles Spinoff Show". Screen Rant. June 8, 2022. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "'Knuckles' Trailer Reveals Idris Elba's 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Spinoff Series on Paramount+". Variety. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
External links
- 2020s American comedy television series
- Upcoming comedy television series
- American action adventure television series
- American television shows based on video games
- American television spin-offs
- English-language television shows
- Interquel television series
- Live action television shows based on video games
- Paramount+ original programming
- Television series by Paramount Television
- Television shows filmed at Pinewood Studios
- Television shows shot in London
- Works based on Sonic the Hedgehog