Idris Elba finds it “surreal” to be in the Knuckles series after playing Sonic as a boy

British actor Idris Elba has said it was “surreal” to star in the animated series Knuckles since he played Sonic The Hedgehog as a child.

The upcoming series follows the red echidna – or spiny anteater – voiced by Elba, as he teaches his warrior skills to Wade Whipple, played by The Mindy Project star Adam Pally.

Paramount Pictures introduced audiences to Knuckles, voiced by Elba, 51, in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 as an ally of Doctor Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey.

Speaking on the red carpet at the Paramount premiere, Luther star Elba told the PA news agency: “It feels a bit like a dream, it feels like you can immerse yourself in a video game and in a film, because that's what I have I did.” I've always loved Sonic.

“I love the world. I played the game as a kid and now I'm in it, so it feels pretty surreal.”

Elba also talked about how he was able to convey humor with his voice.

He said: “We used to just say random things in the room and see if they stuck.”

“So I would say a line and then I would say it the way I thought Knuckles would say it and sometimes it would come out funnier.

“But often it just helped me find the sound.”

Director Jeff Fowler said Sonic also impressed him as a child.

He told PA: “I played the first game in 1991. I was 13 years old.

“It made a big impression on me and the opportunity to do a third movie and a TV show and do all of that now.”

“I couldn’t feel happier and happier to be surrounded by so many, so many amazing talents, the cast, the crew, everyone.”

Sonic The Hedgehog first appeared in a 1991 video game of the same name. He is known for being able to run at extremely high speeds.

A third Sonic film is in the works.

The new series will premiere on Paramount+ in the UK on April 27th.