The Artful Dodger

A sequel to the Dickensian classic Oliver Twist, The Artful Dodger asks what became of the loveable top-hatted rogue. Its answer lies in 1950s Australia, where Jack Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), formerly Dodger, is establishing himself as a respected young doctor after a stint in the navy. His talent and prosperity know no bounds, but his career comes under threat when an old acquaintance, Fagin (David Thewliss), reappears and forces Jack back into a life of crime to repay some debt.

Brodie-Sangster can do know wrong and is the perfect casting as Jack Dawkins. Always the showman, Dawkins knows how to hold an audience and give the people what they want. Transferring his skills and quick fingers as a street urchin to the profession of surgery, he is a master of his art and Brodie-Sangster fits the role to perfection. Equally as brilliant is Thewliss as the sly and conniving Fagin. It is never easy to embody such a famous character and make it your own, but Thewliss embraces the opportunity with open arms, giving a performance that is mischievous, detestable and lovable all at the same time. Maia Mitchell also makes a charming addition to the cast as the driven Lady Belle, who wishes to break free from the confines of society’s expectations of women and become a female surgeon.

The Artful Dodger maintains an energy throughout thanks to the performances from the cast, the music, the snappy editing from Rodrigo Balart and Amelia Ford, and cinematographers Damian Wyvill and Campbell Brown, leading to endless fun. The supporting cast receive a little less development than our leads, succumbing to the one-dimensional approach of “good” or “evil”, but each, including Tim Minchin, brings something different to the table and make Dawkins all the more championed by the viewer.

This series is one for the family aside from all the gore. It feels original and fairly unique, but show creators David Maher, David Taylor and James McNamara have managed to hold on to the Dickensian themes and feelings that we have come to love so much in the classic literature. Much to the pleasure of hardcore fans, Fagin and Dawkins still hold a shared distaste for Oliver Twist, someone the latter refers to as a “wet lettuce”.

A second series of The Artful Dodger will surely be on the cards should an audience be found upon its release, with a bounty of untapped potential at the writer’s fingertips and who knows, maybe that wet lettuce Twist could show his face. Maybe a new Dickens universe awaits?

Guy Lambert

The Artful Dodger is released on Disney+ on 17^th January 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Artful Dodger here: