Among the most captivating series available on Disney+ and Hulu is The Artful Dodger. Fans of the clever pickpocket-turned-surgeon are eagerly awaiting news about a potential second season, and we have some exciting updates to share.
This series acts as a sequel to the classic Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, transporting viewers to 1850s Australia. It follows Jack Dawkins, portrayed by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, a former criminal who has embraced a respectable career as a surgeon in the Navy. Despite his efforts to leave his past behind, Jack encounters figures from his earlier life, particularly his old accomplice Fagin, played by David Thewlis, who lures him back into his former life of theft.
Beyond its thrilling narrative arc, The Artful Dodger weaves a compelling love story. The protagonist finds himself drawn to Lady Belle, the Governor’s daughter played by Maia Mitchell, who is determined to pursue a career as a surgeon, a formidable aspiration in an era where women were largely excluded from such professions.
Will There Be a Second Season of The Artful Dodger?
In response to the conclusion of its inaugural season, fans initiated a petition on Change.org, advocating for a sequel. The petition asserts, “Continuing The Artful Dodger will not only meet the desires of its dedicated fanbase but will also have the potential to draw in a larger audience. With its initial success, we urge producers and network executives to reconsider their decision and grant this remarkable show another opportunity.” This effort garnered over 26, 000 signatures, and while it is unclear if that directly influenced the decision, it has been confirmed that the series will return for a second season—an announcement that fans celebrated with joy!
The renewal process, however, was not swift; it took a full year for Disney to reach this significant decision, officially announced in November 2024. Disney+ Australia has confirmed that the upcoming season is currently in production, with hopes for a release by 2026.
Adaptations of Dickens’s classics frequently take on a new charm, and The Artful Dodger is no exception. One of the surprising twists in the show is the portrayal of Oliver Twist as the main antagonist, contrasting sharply with the conventional image of Oliver as an innocent, kind-hearted orphan. This unexpected development adds an engaging layer to the narrative, keeping audiences intrigued.
Reflecting on the series, it stands out for its modern take on Dickens’s stories. While adaptations of Dickens’ work can sometimes come across as overly sentimental, The Artful Dodger breaks this mold, largely because it diverges from typical Dickensian conventions. In an enlightening interview with RadioTimes, Brodie-Sangster emphasized the show’s fresh approach.
“We were doing quite a different – it’s very, very different. It’s colorful, not really very Dickensian when you think about it. I wanted to focus on what was on the page, on the script, do them justice and not worry quite so much about the history because anyone that’s truly a Dickens fan and loves the books, it’s not that.
“It’s taken those characters and throwing them into a different setting, different pacing, different feel. The closest thing you’d get is probably some of Fagin’s dialogue [being] Dickensian.”
Given its innovative reimagining of Dickensian narratives, The Artful Dodger is poised to become a standout adaptation over time. Its impressive 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes reflects the show’s quality and popularity, further validating the decision for a second season.
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