In a smashing success for Paramount Plus, the debut of the “Knuckles” miniseries has shattered records, becoming the platform’s most-watched original series during its premiere weekend. Released on April 26 with all six episodes available at once, “Knuckles” captivated audiences, racking up over 4 million hours of viewing time in just a few days. Not only does this achievement mark a milestone for Paramount Plus, but it also secures “Knuckles” as the highest-performing kids and family title in the platform’s history.

Jeff Grossman, the executive vice president of programming at Paramount Plus, expressed excitement at the overwhelming response, attributing the series’ success to the fervent support of “Sonic the Hedgehog” fans. The impact of “Knuckles” has rippled across the Sonic universe on Paramount Plus, with related titles experiencing a staggering 278% surge in viewership compared to their daily averages.

While Paramount Plus typically remains tight-lipped about viewership figures, the exceptional performance of “Knuckles” prompted comparisons to Netflix’s metrics. Applying a similar approach—dividing total viewing hours by the series runtime—suggests an impressive viewership of approximately 1.45 million over the premiere weekend.

“Knuckles” brings back Idris Elba in the titular role, a character he first voiced in “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.” The series unfolds after the events of the film but before the forthcoming “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” tracing Knuckles’ comedic and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he mentors Wade (Adam Pally) in the ways of the Echidna warrior.

The star-studded cast includes notable guest appearances by Stockard Channing, Edi Patterson, Scott Mescudi, Ellie Taylor, Julian Barratt, Rory McCann, Cary Elwes, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer, and Rob Huebel. Ben Schwartz returns as the voice of Sonic, with Tika Sumpter reprising her role as Maddie, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey appearing as Tails.

Behind the scenes, the series was crafted by John Whittington and Toby Ascher, who spearheaded production and served as executive producers. Whittington, known for his work on “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” wrote the pilot episode and helmed the writing team. The pilot was directed by Jeff Fowler, the visionary behind both “Sonic the Hedgehog” films, who also executive produced the series alongside Neal H. Moritz from Original Film, and members of the Sega of America creative team.

“Knuckles” represents a collaborative effort between Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, showcasing the enduring popularity and creative potential of the Sonic franchise in the realm of streaming television. With its record-breaking debut, “Knuckles” stands as a testament to the power of beloved characters and captivating storytelling in the world of on-demand entertainment.