In 1850s Australia, Jack Dawkins, a former Royal Navy surgeon, establishes himself as a respected young doctor. When an old acquaintance, Fagin, resurfaces, it forces Jack, once a London-based pickpocket known as the "Artful Dodger", back into a life of crime. Jack forms an attachment to the governor's daughter, Lady Belle Fox, who aspires to be a surgeon. As Jack's past intersects with the present and external forces jeopardise his goals, his life unravels, raising questions about whether he can genuinely reshape his life in the colony as he had envisioned.[2][3]
Cast and characters
Main
Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jack Dawkins / Artful Dodger, who was busted out of prison and seconded to the Royal Navy where his skilled fingers turned him into a surgeon. Decorated in the Crimean War for his medical work, he was recommended to serve in the colony.
Finn Treacy portrays the young Artful Dodger during flashbacks.
David Thewlis as Norbert Fagin, Jack's former surrogate father and a convicted thief. Transported to Port Victory as a criminal, he finds Jack and uses their history to his advantage. Jack allows Fagin to explore the underside of society for his grift and benefit.
Maia Mitchell as Lady Belle Fox, the strong-willed daughter of the governor of Port Victory who opposes societal norms. She studies medical literature from which she brings innovations to the local hospital, and wants Jack to train her to become the first female surgeon. She also serves as Jack's primary love interest.
Damon Herriman as Captain Lucien Gaines (season 1), the cunning and zealous but often cruel commander of the colony's soldiers in Port Victory
Tim Minchin as Darius Cracksworth (season 2; supporting season 1), the harbour master of Port Victory
The series was developed and created by James McNamara, David Maher, and David Taylor, and was first announced in 2022.[5][6] It is a co-production between Sony Pictures Television's Curio Pictures and Beach Road Pictures. Jo Porter executive produces for Curio Pictures, while David Maher and David Taylor executive produce for Beach Road Pictures with Ross Allsop as series producer.[7] Writers for the first season include include McNamara, Andrew Knight, Vivienne Walshe, and Dan Knight, while directors include Jeffrey Walker, Corrie Chen, and Gracie Otto.[8]
On 20 November 2024, Disney+ renewed the series for a second season at their APAC (Asia Pacific) showcase event in Singapore. Co-creator James McNamara and Dan Knight returned to write for the second season, while new writers included Kate Mulvany and Miranda Tapsell. Gracie Otto returned to direct, while new directors included Ben Young and Ben C. Lucas. Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner returned to executive produce with McNamara joining them and Cameron Welsh as series producer.[9] The season also featured outfits created by costume designer Marion Boyce.[10].
Filming for the first season took place between November 2022 and March 2023 in Sydney, New South Wales.[15][16] The production had access to a former psychiatric hospital precinct in Sydney, preserved from the 19th century with the production surrounding the existing sandstone buildings with standing sets. Filming locations also included Elizabeth Farm in the Western Sydney suburbs, Rookwood Cemetery, Callan Park, and the northern headland of Botany Bay, Cape Banks.[17]
Filming for the second season took place between February and May 2025 at Callan Park in Sydney.[citation needed]
Release
The first season premiered in Austrailia on 29 November 2023 on Disney+, via its Star hub.[18][19] Internationally, it also premiered on Star+ in Latin America and on Hulu in the United States.[18] In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the first season premiered on 17 January 2024 on Disney+.[20]
The second season premiered on 10 February 2026.[14]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 92% based on reviews from 25 critics. The website's critics consensus reads, "Given roguish gravitas by the well-cast Thomas Brodie-Sangster and David Thewlis, The Artful Dodger picks Dickens' pocket and makes the most of his iconic creation".[21]
Luke Buckmaster of The Guardian gave the series four stars out of five, described it as "darkly comedic", and praised the editing for helping the series maintain a "wild energy".[22] Maggie Lovitt of Collider praised the "stellar cast, sumptuous costumes, plucky score, and surprising story, the series is easily one of the best—and most refreshing—to debut on the streamer this year".[23] Dan Einav of The Financial Times praised the performances, saying "Thewlis steals every scene" and "Brodie-Sangster is well-cast as a young man caught between his innate impish spirit and efforts to be a responsible professional".[24]
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