The highly acclaimed period drama The Artful Dodger has made its triumphant return for a second season, with all episodes now available to stream on Disney Plus. This literary-inspired series, which boasts an impressive 91% rating, continues the story of Jack Dawkins, the iconic character from Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, reimagined in 1850s Australia.
Returning Lead Cast Members
Thomas Brodie-Sangster reprises his central role as Jack Dawkins, also known as The Artful Dodger. The London-born actor, now 35, first gained recognition at age 13 with his memorable performance in Love Actually. His extensive career includes portraying a young Paul McCartney in Nowhere Boy, starring in The Maze Runner trilogy, and appearing in acclaimed series such as Game of Thrones, Wolf Hall, Godless, and The Queen's Gambit.
David Thewlis returns as the notorious Dickens villain Fagin, Jack's former mentor and surrogate father. Despite being a convicted thief, Fagin manages to track Jack to the Australian colonies, attempting to draw him back into their criminal past. Thewlis is perhaps best known for his role as Remus Lupin across five Harry Potter films, with additional credits including playing Ares in Wonder Woman and appearing in Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Supporting Cast and New Additions
Australian actress Maia Mitchell continues her portrayal of Lady Belle Fox, the determined daughter of Port Victory's governor who aspires to a medical career while navigating her romantic involvement with Jack. Mitchell, who began her career in Australian television, recently appeared in the video game adaptation Until Dawn and starred in the family drama The Fosters and its spin-off Good Trouble.
Comedian and writer Tim Minchin returns as Darius Cracksworth, the former harbour master of Port Victory struggling to rebuild his life. Minchin, renowned for writing Matilda the Musical, brings his distinctive talent to this complex character.
A significant new addition to the cast is Australian actor Luke Bracey, who joins as Inspector Henry Boxer, replacing the violent Captain Gaines from Season One. Boxer approaches his duties with determination but without his predecessor's brutality. Bracey launched his career on the iconic soap opera Home and Away and has since featured in the miniseries Little Fires Everywhere alongside Reese Witherspoon, with an upcoming role in Netflix's period drama remake of Little House on the Prairie.
Ensemble Cast Members
The supporting ensemble features several returning actors, including Vivienne Awosoga as Hetty Baggett, the head nurse at the local hospital, and Luke Carroll as Tim Billiberllary, a hospital assistant and Jack's loyal friend. Damien Garvey, known for The Survivors and Rake, portrays Governor Edmund Fox, while Kym Gyngell appears as Professor Alistair McGregor, the alcoholic chief surgeon who serves as Jack's superior.
The Artful Dodger Season 2 continues to explore Jack Dawkins' transformation from pickpocket to respected surgeon, fifteen years after the events of Oliver Twist. Despite his efforts to leave crime behind, his past resurfaces through Fagin's arrival, creating compelling drama set against the backdrop of colonial Australia. The series blends historical fiction with character-driven storytelling, maintaining the quality that earned its first season critical acclaim.
