Paramount’s live-actionKnucklesTV show could have been much better, especially if it took notes from the best animatedSonic the Hedgehogseries. Coming off the back of 2022’sSonic the Hedgehog 2, which introduced Idris Elba’s Knuckles, the spinoff had every opportunity to go big. However, while Elba brought his usual charisma, the six-episode series never truly found its footing. The tone was inconsistent, the pacing dragged, and instead of deepening the mythos of one ofSonic’s most beloved characters, it settled for surface-level gags and side missions that felt like filler. For a character with the strength, intensity, and tragic backstory of Knuckles, that just doesn’t cut it.
What makes the disappointment sting even more is that Knuckles, along with therest of theSoniccharacters, have already proven they can thrive on television - and not just as comic relief. Over the years, there have been several animated Sonic series, but only one truly nailed the character dynamics, action, and world-building that fans crave. It took the fantastical elements of the games and gave them emotional weight, while still keeping things fun and fast-paced. If the live-action franchise is serious about sticking the landing on TV, it should look 18 years into the past - specifically, atSonic X.
Knuckles Was A Disappointing First Spinoff For Sonic The Hedgehog’s Live-Action Franchise
Knuckles' Spinoff Didn’t Capture The Power Or Complexity Of The Character Fans Love
The 2024 live-actionKnucklesTV show had the potential to deliver something special, but it quickly became clear it was more of a detour than a destination. While Idris Elba reprises his role with the same stoic intensity that made his Knuckles a standout inSonic the Hedgehog 2, the series doesn’t give him nearly enough to work with. Instead of exploring Knuckles’ complex past as the last Echidna warrior or his uneasyalliance with Sonic and Tails, the show sidelines him in a buddy comedy dynamic with Adam Pally’s Wade Whipple, a character better suited for comic relief than co-lead.
Thatmismatch of tone ended up defining theKnucklesTV show. Knuckles’ arc feels less like a hero’s journey and more like a collection of unfinished sketches. The humor often undercuts what little emotional weight the show tries to build, and while it does flirt with ideas about legacy, honor, and finding one’s place, none of it sticks long enough to matter. The action sequences are occasionally fun, but they lack the high-speed creativity of the movies. For a show with a literal powerhouse as its lead,Knucklespulls its punches far too often.
Even worse, the world-building feels shallow. There’s barely any expansion ofthe live-actionSonicuniverse, and what little mythology we do get is buried under sitcom-like antics. For diehardSonicfans, this was supposed to be the bridge betweenSonic the Hedgehog 2and 2024’sSonic the Hedgehog 3, teasing bigger things to come. However, the live-actionKnucklesTV show doesn’t elevate the franchise - it dilutes it. By the end, it feels less like a spinoff and more like a missed opportunity.
Sonic X Proves That Sonic The Hedgehog’s Universe Can Work On Television
Sonic X Successfully Blended Sonic’s Game Lore With Emotional Storytelling And Long-Form Arcs
Before Sonic ever sped onto the big screen, he was already making waves on TV, andSonic Xis still the gold standard. Premiering in 2003, the anime-style series wasn’t just a flashy Saturday morning cartoon; it was a surprisingly rich adaptation of the games that captured the heart of the Sonic franchise. Where many shows treated Sonic’s universe as a one-note gimmick,Sonic Xleaned into the chaos emeralds, parallel worlds, and emotional stakes that have always been baked into the games.
WhatSonic Xdid better than most was embrace the scope of theSonicmythos. Characters like Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails weren’t just sidekicks or mascots. They had depth, purpose, and arcs that evolved across dozens of episodes. Knuckles, in particular, was treatedwith the gravitas he deserves: a proud, solitary guardian whose sense of duty often clashed with Sonic’s freewheeling nature. His dynamic with the team was complex and occasionally antagonistic, but it always felt earned and grounded.
The show’s structure also allowed for long-form storytelling. Instead of bottling everything into episodic plots,Sonic Xintroduced serialized arcs, like the “Chaos Saga” and “Metarex Saga,” which added weight to the characters’ journeys. Emotional stakes werebalanced with fast-paced action, and even the human characters - especially Chris Thorndyke - served as compelling stand-ins for the audience, giving Sonic’s world a human perspective without hijacking it. In short,Sonic Xproved thatSonic’s universe could be both epicand emotionally resonant. And it did it without ever needing to water down the characters for broader appeal.
If Sonic’s Live-Action Universe Ever Returns To TV, It Must Be More Like Sonic X
Sonic X Should Be The Template For Future Live-Action Sonic Shows
If there’s ever another attempt to bring Sonic’s world to television, thenSonic Xshould be the blueprint. If thelukewarm reception toKnucklesproved anything, it’s that audience appetites when it comes to theSonicuniverse are for something deeper. What madeSonic Xwork was its commitment to character and continuity. Every major player had a defined role, clear motivations, and a chance to evolve. That’s the kind of structure the live-action franchise desperately needs if it’s going to succeed on TV.
The live-actionSonicmovies have laid a strong foundation
Knuckles, for instance,deserves more than comedic detours and punchline-heavy plots.Sonic Xunderstood how to frame him as both powerful and principled, caught between loyalty to his people and his uneasy alliance with Sonic. That’s the tension that makes him great, not karaoke contests or slapstick side quests. Likewise,Sonic himself must be more than just the fast-talking hero. InSonic X, he’s adventurous, loyal, sometimes reckless - a fully formed character, not just a quip machine.
The live-actionSonicmovies have laid a strong foundation, and there’s more than enough potential to expand the franchise to the small screen. However, ifKnucklesis taken as a lesson, anySonicspinoff should be about scaling up the story without losing the soul of the characters. Serialized arcs, strong emotional throughlines, and a respect for the source material should be the guiding lights, just like they were inSonic X. That show took Sonic’s high-concept lore and made it accessible, heartfelt, and exciting week to week. If the live-actionKnucklesTV show missed the mark, it’s only because there’s already a clear map for how to get it right.
Knuckles
Cast
Knuckles follows the journey of the titular Echidna warrior as he takes on the challenge of mentoring Wade. In this comedic and action-oriented narrative, Knuckles explores themes of self-discovery and legacy while imparting his warrior ways to his young protégé.
Sonic X
Sonic X is an animated series centered around Sonic and his friends, who find themselves stranded on Earth and join forces with 12-year-old Chris Thorndyke. Together, they embark on a quest to gather the Chaos Emeralds and thwart the schemes of the nefarious Dr. Eggman.
