Hackney-born Idris Elba knighted in New Year Honours

Elba was heralded for his contribution to the entertainment industry and his work with children. Photograph: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Idris Elba has been knighted in the New Year Honours.

The Hackney-born actor has become Sir Idris in recognition both of his ‘exceptional’ work in the entertainment industry and his charity work with young people.

Elba, best-known for his roles in crime dramas Luther and The Wire, launched the anti-knife crime campaign Don’t Stop Your Future (DSYF) in 2024. He released the single Knives Down featuring UK rapper DB Maz that same year, calling for urgent government action to curb knife-related violence. He was previously awarded an OBE in the 2016 Honours.

The star is also the co-founder of the Elba Hope Foundation alongside his wife, Sabrina. The organisation provides grants to a variety of groups across the UK, the US and Africa.

“I receive this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation,” he said.

As a teenager, Elba was given a £1,500 grant by the Prince’s Trust to attend the National Youth Music Theatre programme. He has gone on to star in a swathe of blockbuster films and highly-rated TV series, including Beasts of No Nation and Hijack. 

His on-screen work has earned him a Golden Globe and nominations for six Emmy Awards and three BAFTAs.

Elba was one of 1,157 recipients at this year’s awards (not pictured). Photograph: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alongside Idris, England women’s football coach Sarina Wiegman has been made an honorary dame and figure skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were awarded a damehood and knighthood respectively.

Some 1,157 recipients have been recognised in this year’s list. Actor and singer Cynthia Erivo – who starred alongside Ariana Grande in Wicked: For Good this year – was appointed an MBE, as was singer Ellie Goulding for her environmental work.

Former Chief Executive of NHS England Amanda Kate Pritchard, now Dame Amanda, was honoured for “dramatically [improving] the efficiency and productivity of the NHS since COVID.”