Idris Elba has a new season of AppleTV’s Hijack coming next month and Cynthia Erivo has had a pretty Wicked year in the best way so far. However, now that Christmas is over, 2026 has come early and royally for the superstar Brits with today’s unveiling of the UK Honours List.
Among over 1,100 recipients of the bi-annual recognition, Elba has been made a Knight of the Realm by King Charles III and Keir Starmer‘s government. With the championship Women’s England team seeing awards now from the Crown, Golden Globe and almost certain Oscar nominee Erivo is now a medaled Member of the Order of the British Empire.
“This year’s honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives,” said Prime Minister Starmer of the just announced list. “Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you – and congratulations to everyone recognised today.”
Watch on Deadline
In that vein, global superstar Elba wasn’t actually made Sir Idris because of his acting work on The Wire, Luther, or A House of Dynamite, for directing Yorkie or for those killer DJ sets in Ibiza. Nope, Elba, who already had an OBE was made a Knight due to his “services to Young People,” as the proclamation says. Specifically, that’s his charity work for youth at the Elba Hope Foundation, which supports community empowerment, education, youth advocacy and sustainable development.
The multi-talented “Actor, Singer, Producer and Author” Erivo was given the MBE “for services to Music and Drama.”
READ THE FULL NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST HERE
Among others awarded in the New Year’s Honours list are ex-BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore, who left under a cloud in early 2025 because of questions about the documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone. Tristram Hunt, the former Labour MP and now Victoria & Albert Museum director Tristram Hunt, Last of the Summer Wine creator Roy Clarke, and comedian Meera Syal (who became a dame for services to “literature, drama and charity”) were also recipients this year. Dancing on Ice stars and 1984 Gold medalists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were made a dame and knight respectively for their charity work too.
Formal ceremonies and bended knees for Elba, Erivo and others are expected later in 2026 at one Royal residence or another.