The Artful Dodger debuted in 2023, serving as an inventive sequel inspired by Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist.” Rather than focusing on Dickens’ original orphan, the series followed the “Artful Dodger”, Jack Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), as he forged a new life in the British Colony of Australia, balancing ambition, love, and the lingering influence of Fagin (David Thewlis). Now, three years later, the series returns for a highly anticipated second season, picking up six months after the cliffhanger finale that left Jack imprisoned and facing imminent execution – a peril from which, of course, Fagin orchestrates his last-minute salvation.
This sophomore season broadens the story in both scale and spectacle. With costume designer Marion Boyce, set designer Gabrielle S. Carey, and production designer Nick Dare bringing a richer visual palette to Port Victory, the series feels more immersive than ever, and directors Ben Young and Ben C. Lucas joining returning helmer Gracie Otto, there’s an infusion of fresh energy that never compromises the narrative cohesion that made the first season a standout. The result is a season that feels both familiar and freshly invigorated, blending historical drama, romance, and criminal intrigue with confidence.
Character development takes center stage, especially for the women of the series. Belle (Maia Mitchell) continues to pursue her medical ambitions while navigating the complicated terrain of her relationship with Jack, and her sister Fanny (Lucy-Rose Leonard) discovers an unexpected calling within Fagin’s criminal network. Both are given a depth and agency that elevates them beyond the archetypal Victorian female roles of the original Dickens text, introducing new emotional stakes and narrative complexity to their stories.
Thewlis’ Fagin continues to anchor the series with a performance that balances mischievousness, menace, and rare moments of vulnerability. Whether orchestrating elaborate heists to protect or manipulate Jack, or mentoring Fanny into the world of crime, Thewlis brings a magnetic unpredictability to the role. His Fagin is simultaneously charming and unsettling, a character whose motives are layered and whose presence commands the screen, making him both mentor and foil in equal measure.
The second season also introduces compelling new antagonists. Benedict Hardie’s Uriah Heep brings his own brand of scheming menace to Port Victory, while Inspector Henry Boxer (Luke Bracey) introduces a blend of romantic tension and pursuit-of-justice conflict that complicates Jack and Belle’s relationship. These additions enrich the ensemble, enhancing the stakes while keeping the central dynamics between Jack, Belle, and Fagin at the forefront.
With intricate plotting, vivid production design, and layered performances, The Artful Dodger Season Two proves to be an ambitious and rewarding continuation of the series. It balances romance, suspense, comedy, and drama with skill, expanding the world and deepening character arcs while keeping the audience enthralled. More than a sequel, it is a fully realized historical drama that surprises, delights, and confirms that the return of Dawkins and Fagin remains one of the most compelling adventures on streaming today.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Artful Dodger Season 2 is available to stream on Disney+ (Australia) and Hulu (United States) from February 10th, 2026.
