Idris Elba Knighted For Charity Work in the UK

Idris Elba has been knighted. The Guardian reports that the actor has been made a knight in the New Year Honors List. Elba was honored along with Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo and others. The recognition from King Charles III is an annual tradition in Britain that celebrates people who have achieved eminence in their fields or provided exceptional service to their communities.

Elba is being awarded a knighthood for service to young people. The Wire and Luther star has campaigned to address knife crime in Great Britain, and he starred in a documentary about possible solutions with King Charles and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence.”

In addition to his anti-knife crime campaign, the star founded the Elba Hope Foundation alongside his wife Sabrina, which provides grants to organizations across the U.K., the United States and Africa.

1,157 people received New Year Honors this year. 

“This year’s Honors list celebrates the very best of Britain — people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives,” Starmer said in a statement.