Knuckles (TV series)

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 early 2024.
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.
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, whom Knuckles will train to be an Echidna Warrior.
Recurring cast
Cary Elwes as Pistol Pete Whipple: An eccentric 27-time championship bowler related to Wade Whipple.
Edi Patterson
Julian Barratt
Scott Mescudi
Ellie Taylor as an undisclosed villain role
Guest cast
Rory McCann
Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, the adoptive mother of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles and the local veterinarian of Green Hills.
Additionally, 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 early 2024.
Notes
References
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
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
Television series by Paramount Television