Idris Elba has a new season of Apple TV’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. He will be known as Sir Idris Elba from now on. Golden Globe and almost certain Oscar nominee Erivo is now a medaled Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
“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.”
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 2018’s Yardie 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 former Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon and ex-BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore, the latter of whom commissioned huge hits across a lengthy career at the public broadcaster before moving to Sony earlier this year. 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. Richard Osman, the former Endemol Shine executive and Pointless co-host whose Thursday Murder Club book was turned into a Netflix movie, is given an OBE for services to literature and broadcasting. 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.
There were also major honors for England’s Euros soccer winning team, with manager Sarina Wiegman, who is Dutch, becoming an honorary dame and multiple players recognized.
Formal ceremonies and bended knees for Elba, Erivo and others are expected later in 2026 at one Royal residence or another.
