The Artful Dodger (2023 TV Series Review)
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist has seen countless iterations, from stage musicals to animated films. However, The Artful Dodger (2023 TV series) takes a daringly different approach by serving as an irreverent, high-energy sequel set years after the original novel. This Australian production shifts the foggy backdrop of London to the sun-baked, rugged colony of 1850s Australia, reimagining the legendary pickpocket Jack Dawkins as a man attempting to outrun his past through the art of surgery. In this The Artful Dodger review, we explore how the series blends medical drama with heist thrills to create one of the most refreshing adaptations of the Dickensian world.
Production Background and Global Distribution
The series was first announced in 2022 as a flagship Disney+ Australian original. It is a collaborative effort between Sony Pictures Television’s Curio Pictures and Beach Road Pictures. Created by James McNamara, David Maher, and David Taylor, the show brings a "wild energy" to the screen, directed by a talented trio including Jeffrey Walker, Corrie Chen, and Gracie Otto.
Though the show’s country of origin is Australia, its distribution is global. It premiered on November 29, 2023, on Disney+ (via the Star hub) in Australia, the UK, and Ireland. In the United States, it is available on Hulu, while Latin American audiences can find it on Star+. The first season consists of eight episodes, each running approximately 60 minutes.
A New Life in Port Victory: The Plot and Synopsis
The narrative picks up in the 1850s, following Jack Dawkins, the former "Artful Dodger". Jack has spent the years since his London exploits serving as a surgeon in the Royal Navy, eventually settling in the colony of Port Victory. Here, he is a respected doctor whose nimble fingers—once used for thievery—now perform life-saving surgeries.
However, his respectable life is thrown into chaos by the arrival of Norbert Fagin, his former mentor and surrogate father, who arrives in the colony as a convict. Fagin immediately recognizes Jack and uses their history to manipulate him back into a life of crime. Jack finds himself caught in a double life: by day, he is the colonial hospital’s rising star; by night, he is embroiled in gambling debts, gold heists, and clever stings.
Adding complexity to Jack’s life is Lady Belle Fox, the Governor’s daughter. Belle is a brilliant, independent woman who dreams of becoming the colony’s first female surgeon. She strikes a deal with Jack: she will help him navigate the social and political pitfalls of the colony if he trains her in medical techniques. As Jack falls for Belle, he must decide if he can truly reshape his life or if he is destined to remain a rogue forever.
Stars and Characters: The Roguish Gravitas
The success of the series rests heavily on its "well-cast" leads:
• Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jack Dawkins: Brodie-Sangster brings a mix of professional dedication and "impish spirit" to the role. To prepare, he and co-star Maia Mitchell studied historical case files and worked with medical experts to ensure the surgery scenes felt authentic.
• David Thewlis as Norbert Fagin: Described by critics as a scene-stealer, Thewlis portrays Fagin as a "delightfully sly crook". This version of Fagin is less of a villain and more of a manipulative, opportunistic survivor who genuinely cares for Jack in his own twisted way.
• Maia Mitchell as Lady Belle Fox: A new character created for the series, Belle represents the progressive spirit of the era. She challenges the societal norms of the 19th century and serves as Jack’s moral and professional anchor.
• Damon Herriman as Captain Lucien Gaines: The series' primary antagonist, Gaines is a "cunning and zealous" commander determined to rid Port Victory of crime, placing him on a collision course with Jack and Fagin.
The supporting cast features a "who’s who" of Australian talent, including Tim Minchin as the harbour master Darius Cracksworth and Miranda Tapsell as the thief "Red" Scrubbs.
Critical Response and Accolades
Critics have largely praised The Artful Dodger 2023 TV series, reflected in its 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Guardian awarded it four stars, calling it a "zippy Dickensian spin-off" with a "darkly comedic" tone. Reviews have consistently highlighted the chemistry between Brodie-Sangster and Thewlis, as well as the show’s high production values, including "sumptuous costumes" and a "plucky score" by composer Antony Partos.
While the sources do not list formal award wins (accolades) yet, the series is noted for being a "reinvention" that successfully moves beyond the shadow of its source material. It joins a long lineage of spin-offs and adaptations of Oliver Twist, such as the 1968 musical Oliver! and the 2022 series Dodger, but it is unique for focusing on the Dodger’s adulthood in the Australian colonies.
Filming and Future Seasons
Filming took place over five months in Sydney, New South Wales. The production made use of historical sites like Callan Park, a preserved 19th-century psychiatric hospital, as well as Elizabeth Farm and Rookwood Cemetery to recreate 1850s Australia.
The show’s success led to a Season 2 renewal in November 2024. Production for the second season wrapped in June 2025, with a scheduled premiere date of February 10, 2026. Most of the main cast is expected to return, with new directors like Ben Young joining the team.
🔖 Key Takeaways
🗝️ Release Date & Network: Premiered November 29, 2023, on Disney+ and Hulu.
🗝️ Origin: An Australian production filmed in Sydney.
🗝️ Star Power: Features Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jack Dawkins and David Thewlis as Fagin.
🗝️ Plot: A sequel to Oliver Twist set in 1850s Australia, where Jack Dawkins works as a surgeon while being pulled back into crime by Fagin.
🗝️ Seasons: Season 1 (8 episodes) is out; Season 2 premieres February 10, 2026.
🗝️ Critical Acclaim: Boasts a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score and is praised for its "wild energy" and "darkly comedic" tone.
🗝️ Legacy: Recognized as a "reinvention" of Charles Dickens' work, focusing on adult characters in a colonial setting.
🌐 External sources
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The Artful Dodger review
