Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo attend the global premiere of 'Luther: The Fallen Sun' at BFI IMAX Waterloo on March 1, 2023 in London. Lia Toby/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Britons ranging from Hollywood stars Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo to a 102-year-old judo instructor have been named in King Charles III's New Year's honors list, an annual tradition that recognizes people for their contributions to U.K. public life. Elba, who starred as a drug dealer in The Wire and the President of the United States in A House of Dynamite, was knighted for his services to young people after he and his wife, Sabrina, founded the Elba Hope Foundation to target issues such as knife crime, education and poverty. Related Stories TV 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night' Re-Airs New Year's Eve: How to Stream the TV Special Online General News From Glastonbury to (No Longer) Prince Andrew: The Entertainment Scandals That Rocked Britain in 2025 The actor accepted the honor on behalf of the young people served by the charity. "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," Elba said. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, the ice dancing duo who won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, were also awarded top honors, with Torvill receiving a damehood and Dean a knighthood. Erivo, one of the stars of Wicked and who also co-starred with Elba in the 2023 crime film Luther: The Fallen Sun, was named a Member of the British Empire, or MBE, for services to music and drama. And John Hearn, who goes by the name Judo Jack, received a British Empire Medal, after the Guinness World Records recognized him as the world's oldest judo instructor. Other honorees include author and comedian Richard Osman, who writes the Thursday Murder Club book series and was declared an Officer of the British Empire; retired marathon runner Paula Radcliffe, Officer of the British Empire; and 101-year-old D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh, who was awarded a British Empire Medal for school talks on Holocaust remembrance and his wartime service. The history of Britain's honors system stretches back to the Middle Ages, when monarchs gave gifts of land, money and titles to those who served the crown. In modern times, that has evolved into a hierarchy of honorary distinctions awarded by the king on the recommendation of the government. Modern honors are awarded for contributions in areas such as government, academia, the arts and sports. While many of the awards go to politicians, pop stars and Olympic medalists, honorees often include librarians, charity workers and civil servants who serve their communities with little fanfare. In all, 1,150 people received New Year's honors this year. The most prestigious honors are knighthoods and damehoods. Men who receive the awards are entitled to use the honorific "sir" before their names, while women use the title "dame." Below that are the three levels of the Order of the British Empire. These are known, in order of precedence, as Commander, or CBE; Officer, or OBE; and Member, or MBE. Recipients are entitled to use the initials related to their award after their names. Honors are generally announced twice a year on New Year's and the king's birthday. They are presented by the king or another member of the royal family at ceremonies throughout the year. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up THR, Esq Tyler Perry's Legal Troubles May Just Be Starting Rob Reiner Joe Rogan Slams Trump for Attacking Rob Reiner After His Death: "So Disappointing" Obituaries Tatiana Schlossberg, Granddaughter of JFK and Daughter of Caroline Kennedy, Dies at 35 Rob Reiner Rob and Michele Reiner's Medical Records Sealed Under Court Order The Hollywood Reporter The Hollywood Reporter and Spotify Partner on Golden Week Nominees Night united kingdom From Glastonbury to (No Longer) Prince Andrew: The Entertainment Scandals That Rocked Britain in 2025 THR, Esq Tyler Perry's Legal Troubles May Just Be Starting Rob Reiner Joe Rogan Slams Trump for Attacking Rob Reiner After His Death: "So Disappointing" Obituaries Tatiana Schlossberg, Granddaughter of JFK and Daughter of Caroline Kennedy, Dies at 35 Rob Reiner Rob and Michele Reiner's Medical Records Sealed Under Court Order The Hollywood Reporter The Hollywood Reporter and Spotify Partner on Golden Week Nominees Night united kingdom From Glastonbury to (No Longer) Prince Andrew: The Entertainment Scandals That Rocked Britain in 2025