How is an Echidna warrior stuck on Earth because of a sacred vow supposed supposed to fill all his free time? Star in his own spinoff TV series, obviously. Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s super powerful red alien is coming to Paramount+, and the first trailer for the upcoming Knuckles series reveals that he doesn’t need to build his own living room/fighter pit. Not when there are plenty of other dangerous enemies out to get him.

Idris Elba is officially back as Knuckles in this fun trailer. (As is ESPN 8, The Ocho!) After helping his friends in his big-screen debut Knuckles is getting his own six-episode special event. (Which takes place after Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and before the series’ upcoming third film.) The live-action spinoff series will follow Knuckles “on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade (Adam Pally) as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.”

We learn in this trailer, that when not fighting, Knuckles will also enjoy some human snacks and coffee. Good for him. He might be intense, but even the greatest fighters need to some me-time occasionally, you know?

Red haired and purple-eyed Knuckles looks intense holding a pot of coffee on a porch
Paramount Pictures/SEGA of America

The show also features an incredible supporting cast. It includes Stockard Channing (The West Wing), Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones), Scott Mescudi (Don’t Look Up), Ellie Taylor (Ted Lasso), Julian Barratt (Mindhorn), Rory McCann (Game of Thrones), Cary Elwes (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Paul Scheer (Black Monday), and Rob Huebel (Childrens Hospital).

Elba and Pally aren’t the only franchise stars back for more fun, either. Ben Schwartz will appear as the expanding cinematic universe’s leader, Sonic in the Knuckles series. Special guest star Tika Sumpter will also return as Maddie. And Colleen O’Shaughnessey will pop up to voice Tails once more.

Fans of the Sonic franchise can also keep an eye out for another new Knuckles trailer during this year’s Super Bowl. Then we’ll have to wait until this spring to see the show. All six episodes of Knuckles will premiere on Friday, April 26, exclusively on Paramount+ in the US. Sadly there’s no way to speed that release date up. So maybe just brew a pot of coffee and turn on The Ocho until then.

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