As the sly pickpocket in Charles Dickensโ Oliver Twist, The Artful Dodger didnโt just steal valuables, he stole hearts with his cheek and charm. But his life of crime wasnโt without consequence.
In the 1838 novel, he was eventually caught and banished to a penal colony in Australia.

Oliver Twist didnโt just steal valuables, he stole hearts.
(Credit: Disney)Itโs was where we found him in season one of DisneyโsThe Artful Dodger. Jack Dawkins, played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Love Actually, The Maze Runner and The Queenโs Gambit) is now an adult and putting his dexterity to use as a surgeon in 1850s Australia in the lively colony of Port Victory.
His past hasnโt completely left him, with the thrill of pickpocketing ever-present, but his life is far richer than it was. Enemies, however, donโt forget the past so readily, and Jackโs are coming to collect whatโs owed to them.
At the same time, Jackโs former mentor Fagin (Harry Potterโs David Thewlis) arrives in Port Victory as an escaped convict โ and despite the ensuing years, hasnโt learnt from his mistakes. Upon hearing of his protรฉgรฉโs predicament, he offers to help.
Maia Mitchell also joined the cast as Lady Belle Fox, the governorโs daughter, whose ambition was to become the first female surgeon.

Enemies donโt forget the past so readily.
(Credit: Disney)The first season featured an incredible eight episodes, with an all-star Australian cast including Damon Herriman, Tim Minchin, Susie Porter, Damien Garvey and Miranda Tapsell.
Upon its release in November 2023 on Disney+, fans went immediately crazy and questioned whether there would be a second season. A year later in November 2024, Disney confirmed The Artful Dodger would be returning for a second season!
Itโs main cast Thomas, Maia and David have been confirmed to return in its reprisal. In January 2025, three new cast members were confirmed to join including Jeremy Sims as Uncle Dickie, Luke Bracey as Inspector Henry Boxer, and Zac Burgess as Phineas Golden.

Australiaโs Miranda Tapsell features in the Disney series.
(Credit: Disney)Stream The Artful Dodger now on Disney Plus with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
