New on Disney+ is the second season of the Australian original The Artful Dodger.
For those who haven’t seen season 1, or need a bit of a refresher, the series follows Jack Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), also known as the ‘Artful Dodger’, who has forged a new life in the British Colony of Australia. All the while he’s been balancing ambition, love, and the lingering influence of Fagin (David Thewlis). When we last saw Jack, he was imprisoned and facing imminent execution for the murder of Captain Gaines – a cliffhanger that tore apart the fragile life he’s built, and left both him and Fagin awaiting their fate.
In season 2, we are six months into Jack’s imprisonment, and he’s still staring down the noose. But since he’s the titular character, the tension isn’t if he’ll escape his fate, but rather how and at what cost.
Once he’s on the other side of the prison wall, Lady Belle Fox (Maia Mitchell) is more determined than ever to pursue her dream of practicing medicine. But Jack’s return complicates things professionally, emotionally, and romantically.
Meanwhile, with Gaines dead, Port Victory is in need of a new inspector and Henry Boxer (Luke Bracey) steps into the role. He’s immediately taken with Belle and equally committee to finding a killer.
Elsewhere, the Fox’s world is complicated by the arrival of another of Dickens’ classic villains – David Copperfield’s treacherous Uriah Heep (Benedict Hardie). Lady Fanny Fox (Lucy-Rose Leonard) is also given the most unexpected story arc that makes this season a rich viewing experience.
Creator and head scribe James McNamara has crafted another excellent season of drama and hijinks, with countless moments for each cast member to shine, not just our leading couple Brodie-Sanger and Mitchell.
It’s a season not-to-be missed, and if you’ve yet to experience The Artful Dodger, now is the time to binge it all.
5 Stars
Season 2 of The Artful Dodger is now streaming on Disney+.
