Why ‘The Artful Dodger’ Is One of the Best Shows on Hulu

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If you love the romance and drama of shows like Netflix’s Bridgerton, Hulu and Disney+ offer a fantastic option while you wait for new episodes: The Artful Dodger. This show is a fresh take on the classic Oliver Twist, imagining what happened next with the characters Jack Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) and Fagin, now reimagined as the heroes of their own story – similar to how Wicked tells the story of the Wizard of Oz from a different perspective.

Set in 1850s Australia, The Artful Dodger tells the story of Jack Dawkins, a former criminal who reinvents himself as a surgeon after serving in the Royal Navy. But his past catches up with him, drawing him back into a life of crime. He also finds himself falling for Lady Belle Fox, the governor’s ambitious daughter who is also training to be a surgeon and harbors a painful secret. The show received excellent reviews when the first season premiered on Hulu in November 2023. Despite limited promotion, it quickly gained a dedicated fanbase, and the second season, released on February 10, 2026, earned a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. With its stylish presentation, romantic storylines, and compelling characters, The Artful Dodger is a fantastic show that deserves to be on your radar.

‘The Artful Dodger’ Has A Great Cast of Characters


Hulu

I was completely hooked by The Artful Dodger – it’s the characters that really drew me in. And honestly, the romance between Jack Dawkins and Lady Belle Fox is just incredible! They’re both so headstrong, and their connection feels so intense, like they can’t help but be drawn to each other. Even apart, they’re interesting people, but together? The chemistry is off the charts – it’s easily one of the most captivating love stories I’ve seen on TV in ages. If you’re a fan of romance, especially the kind with a lot of longing and tension, you absolutely need to watch this. And Season 2 takes things to another level with the addition of a new inspector, played by Luke Bracey, who creates a really delicious love triangle.

David Thewlis delivers a truly exceptional performance as Norbert Fagin, arguably the best part of the series. He portrays Fagin as perpetually disheveled and shifty, with a quirky, almost incomprehensible accent that even those around him struggle to decipher. It’s a performance reminiscent of Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems, but set in the 1850s. Fagin’s constant plotting is central to the story of The Artful Dodger, consistently putting everyone in danger, yet he always seems to land on his feet. Thewlis’s Fagin is a standout television character who consistently captivates every scene he’s in – fitting, considering his profession as a thief.

Lucy-Rose Leonard shines as Lady Fanny Fox, Belle’s sister, a character who craves a glamorous life and romance but repeatedly falls short. She unexpectedly discovers a talent for crime instead. Initially a humorous supporting character in the first season, Fanny gets a surprisingly funny and compelling storyline in Season 2.

Beyond the main character, The Artful Dodger features a compelling group of supporting characters who are surprisingly complex. You’ll find yourself switching between disliking and understanding them throughout the series. For example, Dr. Rainsford Sneed (played by Nicholas Burton) is both a competitor to Dawkins and one of his strongest supporters. Lady Jane Fox (Susie Potter), Belle’s mother, appears cold and controlling, but deeply loves her daughter and Australia. The series is also enriched by Damien Gravy’s portrayal of Governor Fox, Belle’s kind and supportive father—though not a natural politician—and Vivienne Awosoga as the stern Nurse Hetty Baggett. These delightful characters interact in fascinating ways and offer plenty of potential for future storylines.

‘The Artful Dodger’ Has Romance, Crime, and Rock and Roll, So What’s Not To Love?


Hulu

“The Artful Dodger” is a fun and engaging series that blends several different types of stories. It’s a bit of a romance, a bit of a crime thriller, and features historical and medical settings, making it appealing to a wide audience. Think of it as a mix of shows like “Bridgerton,” “Peaky Blinders,” and “The Knick,” with a twist similar to “Cobra Kai” – where old villains become heroes and vice versa. If that sounds like a good combination, you’ll definitely want to check out “The Artful Dodger.”

Fans of history and classic English literature, especially the novels of Charles Dickens, will likely enjoy The Artful Dodger. The series offers a captivating look at the evolution of modern medicine, weaving in a fictionalized story about the Yankee Dodge procedure and the origins of epidemiology—which began with tracking a cholera outbreak. Like Dickens’s famous works such as Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and Oliver Twist, the series thoughtfully examines issues of social class, and these themes still resonate strongly today.

The show’s music matches its thoughtful style. Similar to how Sofia Coppola used modern songs in Marie Antoinette or Baz Luhrmann did in The Great Gatsby, The Artful Dodger blends historical settings with contemporary music to connect the past and present. From Wolfmother’s “Joker and the Thief” – used in both the first and last episodes – to songs by artists like Blur and Sia, the show has a lively, rock-and-roll feel. This energetic pace fits well with the story, which follows a group of criminals on the run and a budding romance.

Watch Now and Build Buzz for ‘The Artful Dodger’ Season 3 (Hopefully)


Disney+

If you’re looking for a show to get hooked on, check out The Artful Dodger. With two seasons of eight episodes each, it’s perfect for a binge-watch. The characters are captivating, and the storylines – full of love and deceit – will keep you on the edge of your seat. Just like the original Oliver Twist, you won’t want it to end!

Currently, Disney+ and Hulu haven’t announced whether there will be a third season of The Artful Dodger. The show is made by Curio Pictures (from Sony Pictures Television) and Beach Road Pictures. Given Disney+’s focus on major franchises like Star Wars and Marvel, it doesn’t appear to be a top priority. However, while Disney is shifting its strategy to emphasize theatrical releases, The Artful Dodger is exactly the kind of series that can strengthen a streaming library without needing to connect to a big movie release.

It took a year after its release, but Season 2 of The Artful Dodger was officially announced in November 2024. Hopefully, this shows the show resonated with viewers and will continue to gain popularity. If you haven’t already, start watching The Artful Dodger now – you’ll love it! Strong viewership could encourage Disney and Hulu to quickly greenlight Season 3. Don’t miss out on a fantastic series – it might just be one of the best shows you can stream right now, and you wouldn’t want to start watching only to find out it’s been canceled.




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2026-02-21 22:23