Everyone’s favorite strong-armed Australian animal is soaring to new heights at Paramount+. The streaming service has announced thatKnuckles,its new series based on the character of the same namefrom theSonic the Hedgehogvideo games, has become the most-watched Paramount+ original series of all time over its premiere weekend. In addition,Knucklesalso knocked it out of the park with families, becoming the streamer’s most-watched kids-and-family title ever.
Over its premiere weekend on April 26, in which the streamer dropped all six episodes of the show,Knucklesracked up more than 4 million hours viewed across Paramount+. This makes it far and away one of the most-watched series for Paramount+ over any weekend premiere, though the studio rarely releases this type of viewership data. It last did so withLawmen: Bass Reeves,which garnered 7.5 million views over its first week, meaningKnucklesviewership in one weekend reached more than half of whatLawmen: Bass Reevesreached in one full week. The series also helped the entireSonicfranchise, with the other films on the platform,Sonic the HedgehogandSonic the Hedgehog 2,seeing a 278% average spike in viewership.
“TheSonic the Hedgehogfans came out in full-force,” saidJeff Grossman, the executive vice president of programming at Paramount+. “We’reso thrilled with the record-breaking performance ofKnucklesand the incredible lift the wholeSonicuniverse has experienced followingKnuckles' premiere.”
‘Knuckles’ Continues the ‘Sonic’ Story
KnucklesstarsIdris Elbaas the eponymous echidna and takes place betweenSonic the Hedgehog 2and the upcomingSonic the Hedgehog 3.The series picks up after Knuckles vowed to protect the Master Emerald, which he fixed at the end of the last film. While taking care of business on Earth,Knucklesfollows the echidna as he trains his apprentice, Wade Whipple (Adam Pally) while also being sought after by agents of Dr. Robotnik. In addition to Elba and Pally reprising their roles fromSonic the Hedgehog 2, Knucklesalsoincludes guest starsStockard Channing, Edi Patterson, Scott Mescudi, Ellie Taylor, Julian Barratt, Rory McCann, Cary Elwes, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer,andRob Huebel.Ben Schwartz,the voice of Sonic from the films, also reprises his role in the series.
Knucklesis picking up steam just in time forSonic the Hedgehog 3,which isslated to be released by Paramount on June 23, 2025. The series, which comes from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, was created byJohn WhittingtonandToby Ascher,with the latter serving as showrunner while Whittington serves as head writer.Jeff Fowler,who directed all threeSonicfilms, directed the first episode ofKnucklesand executive produces alongsideNeal H. Moritzfor Original Film, Ascher, Whittington, Elba,Haruki Satomi, Shuji Utsumi,andToru Nakahara.
All six episodes ofKnucklesare streaming now on Paramount+.
Knuckles the Echidna teaches deputy Wade Whipple the techniques of the Echidna warrior.
Watch on Paramount+
