‘The Artful Dodger’ Season Two Hits It Out of the Park with Perfect Scores and Fanatic Following
A period drama hailed as ‘masterful’ has returned to our screens, and it’s not just impressing critics – it’s achieving a flawless 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series, The Artful Dodger, breathes new life into Charles Dickens’s iconic character, reimagining him as a brilliant surgeon navigating the complexities of colonial Australia.
Starring Thomas Brodie-Sangster, known for his role in Love Actually, the show plunges viewers into the bustling, albeit sometimes shady, town of Port Victory. The narrative centres on Dodger, a reformed thief now dedicated to his surgical practice. However, his past refuses to stay buried, with his former mentor, Fagin, continually luring him back into criminal enterprises. Adding to the drama, Dodger finds himself entangled with Lady Belle, the Governor’s daughter, creating a perilous tightrope walk between his aspirations for a respectable life and the allure of his former criminal exploits.
The critical acclaim is undeniable. Beyond the perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, the series boasts an impressive IMDb rating of eight out of ten, a testament to its broad appeal among both critics and audiences. The second season picks up where the first left off, delving deeper into Dodger’s internal conflict as he grapples with an ‘impossible love’ and the ‘criminal underworld he secretly craves’.
Reviewers have been effusive in their praise. Collider declared that The Artful Dodger‘s second season return “guarantees that viewers will remember it as one of the decade’s best historical series.” The Beverly Hills Courier lauded the casting as “masterful” and the writing as “imaginative,” while The Times commented on the dynamic between Brodie-Sangster and co-star David Thewlis, describing them as a “fine double act” and noting the show’s “breezy” nature that makes its inherent unlikelihood an “artful dodge indeed.”
The buzz on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is equally fervent. Fans are expressing their adoration for the show, with one user tweeting: “Jack and Belle are back. Truly, they have some of the most underrated chemistry, and one of the most beautiful love stories currently on television. I truly recommend watching the show.” Another fan exclaimed, “I don’t understand how there aren’t more people obsessed with The Artful Dodger I swear it’s soo good and WE ARE SO BACK.” The sentiment is echoed by many, with one user calling it “one of the best shows ever the writing the acting and the plot are all so genius and it’s such a breath of fresh air in the way it completely overturns your expectations and delivers everything with great satisfaction!!!! an underrated gem.”
Beyond the central romance, viewers have also highlighted the drama’s poignant depiction of yearning, with many calling for Disney+ to commission a third season.
The genesis of the series lies in the writer James McNamara’s deep affection for 19th-century literature. He explained his fascination with Dickens’s Oliver Twist, stating that while he appreciated the book, he found Dodger and Fagin to be the true dynamos of the story. “It just tickles my brain,” McNamara said. “And while I really like Oliver Twist as a book, I just don’t like Oliver that much as a character. For me, when Dodger and Fagin arrive, it’s like the book comes alive. They electrically charge that story.” He elaborated on how Dickens’s introduction of these characters injects “intense and visceral and interesting” energy into the narrative, a dynamic he found endlessly captivating.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster himself admitted to initial reservations about the script. However, as he became more immersed in the project, he recognised the transformative power of relocating the story to Australia. He explained to The Australian that the move injected a fresh vibrancy into the character and the narrative. “When he’s introduced to Fagin and the whole thing starts to assemble itself, it felt quite alive,” he remarked. He contrasted the typical Dickensian atmosphere – “very English – very London, Victorian, smoky. Damp and depressive, really” – with the new setting. “Relocating the story did something practical. It speeds it up. It injects a bit of colour.”
Both season one and season two of The Artful Dodger are currently available to stream on Disney+.
Key Highlights of The Artful Dodger
- Critical Acclaim:
- 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- 8/10 on IMDb.
- Praised for “masterful” casting and “imaginative” writing.
- Compelling Narrative:
- Reimagines the Artful Dodger as an adult surgeon in colonial Australia.
- Explores themes of redemption, past versus present, and forbidden love.
- Features a complex relationship between Dodger and his mentor, Fagin.
- Fan Favourites:
- Underrated chemistry between Dodger (Jack) and Lady Belle.
- Beautiful love story that captivates viewers.
- Praised for its genius writing, acting, and plot twists.
- Described as a “breath of fresh air” and an “underrated gem.”
- Creative Vision:
- Writer James McNamara’s passion for 19th-century literature.
- Belief that Dodger and Fagin were the true stars of Dickens’s original work.
- The relocation to Australia adds colour and pace to the story.
- Star Power:
- Features Thomas Brodie-Sangster in the titular role.
- Strong supporting cast, including David Thewlis as Fagin.
- Availability:
- Seasons one and two are available to stream on Disney+.
