The Australian historical heist series “The Artful Dodger” is back for another round of crime, cunning, and romance. Inspired by characters from Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” the series debuted in November 2023 and was nominated for seven Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards. Nearly three years later, fans return to Port Victory as the new season raises the stakes and introduces fresh faces, including Luke Bracey (“Elvis”) as Inspector Henry Boxer. Filmed in Sydney and co-produced by Disney+ and Curio Pictures, “The Artful Dodger” continues to expand its Dickensian world with bigger risks and a new criminal threat.
Season 2 premieres with all eight episodes on Disney+ and Hulu on Feb. 10, 2026. Here’s everything we know about the series and how to prepare for future casting opportunities.
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Dr. Jack Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), aka the Artful Dodger, is still living a double life in the penal colony of Port Victory, but this time, he’s facing the noose. Hunted by the colony’s new lawman, Inspector Boxer (Bracey), even crossing paths with Lady Belle (Maia Mitchell), the woman he loves, could get him hanged. Belle is forging her path in medicine and stepping into danger of her own. As Boxer competes for her affection and Fagin (David Thewlis) draws Jack into their most perilous heist yet, a killer lurks in the shadows, and no one is safe.
Co-created by James McNamara (“Cooper”), Season 2 is executive produced by Jo Porter (“The Narrow Road to the Deep North”) and Rachel Gardner (“The Stranger”), with McNamara returning as writer and executive producer. Cameron Welsh is a producer with writers Dan Knight (“Irreverent”), Kate Mulvany, and Miranda Tapsell (“Top End Bub”). Directing is shared by Ben Young (“The Twelve,” “Clickbait”), Ben C. Lucas (“Nautilus,” “The Survivors”), and Gracie Otto (“Ladies in Black,” “Heartbreak High”).
Returning cast:
- Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Dr. Jack Dawkins
- David Thewlis as Norbert Fagin
- Maia Mitchell as Lady Belle Fox
- Susie Porter as Lady Jane Fox
- Damien Garvey as Governor Edmund Fox
- Tim Minchin as Darius Cracksworth
- Lucy-Rose Leonard as Lady Fanny Fox
- Nicholas Burton as Dr. Sneed
- Kim Gyngell as the Prof
- Luke Carroll as Tim Billiberllary
- Damon Herriman as Captain Lucien Gaines
New cast members:
- Luke Bracey as Inspector Henry Boxer
- Jeremy Sims as Uncle Dickie
- Zac Burgess as Phineas Golden
Original casting was led by Leigh Pickford, whose credits include “NCIS: Sydney” and “The Tourist.”
Production has wrapped, and while it’s too early to know whether Season 3 will be confirmed, now is a smart time to secure representation to stay informed about new casting opportunities. Don’t have an agent? Here’s how to get one.
Even though “The Artful Dodger” has wrapped production, actors can prepare for future period dramas or character-driven thrillers with these resources:
- How to Act in a Period Piece
- A CD Offers 5 Tips for Getting Into Character
- 4 Tips for Young Actors Auditioning for Period Pieces
Keep your résumé active with these weekly casting roundups:
Our casting directory pages also provide easy access to the latest public listings:
And finally, sharpen your audition skills with these guides: