Disney+ & Hulu's Historical Crime Series With 92% RT Score Gets Surprise Season 2 Renewal

An acclaimed under-the-radar Disney+ and Hulu show has been renewed for season 2. Over the years, Disney+ has established its reputation as more than just a home for classic family-friendly tales. The platform’s venture into historical dramas has produced captivating shows, films, and performances of period storytelling with modern twists, such as the award-winning musical Hamilton. Released in 2020, it centers on the life of U.S. Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, played by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and his involvement in the American Revolution accompanied by the sounds of R&B, pop, and soul.




Historical dramas have been a quiet but mighty throughline in Disney’s production house. Disney+’s roster includes older period films such as The Adventures of Huck Finn and Sword in the Stone. The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise remains a tried and true period drama, based on a fictionalized version of the Golden Age of Piracy, filled with swashbuckling crime. The demand for retellings of historical periods through intense action, drama, and romance has steadily increased, and Disney+ has decidedly committed to unconventional historical narratives.


The Artful Dodger Renewed For Season 2 On Disney+ & Hulu

The Irreverent Oliver Twist Spin-Off Continues Its Adventure


Disney+ and Hulu have officially renewed The Artful Dodger for season 2 (per TVLine), confirming its return nearly a year after its first season debuted. With a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, the Aussie crime dramedy, an inventive follow-up to Charles Dickens’ 19th century novel Oliver Twist, centers on the adult life of Jack Dawkins, known as the “Artful Dodger.” Played by The Maze Runner’s Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Dawkins lives a double life in Port Victory, Australia during the mid-19th century, balancing his role as a surgeon with criminal undertakings after his old mentor and masterful pickpocket, Fagin (David Thewlis), reenters his life. SVP of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Kylie Watson-Wheeler said in a statement:

We’re thrilled to give our global audiences what they’ve been asking for with a second season of The Artful Dodger. The return of our Australian-born Disney+ Original scripted drama, complete with all-star cast and a brilliant crew, is a testament to the series’ high caliber of production and its local and international audience success. We’re delighted this high-stakes romantic drama of heists, comedy and beautifully complicated life and love will thrill and entertain again.


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All 20 Actors Who Played The Artful Dodger in Movies & TV

The Artful Dodger has appeared in multiple adaptations of the Dickens classic since the 1900s, with many different portrayals of the iconic character.

The historical drama’s second season is set to begin production in 2025 at Sydney’s historic Callan Park. The Artful Dodger‘s stellar cast, dark comedy, and remarkable costuming, secured not just critical acclaim but also a dedicated audience for the show’s first season. The dramedy’s second season promises even more cunning robbery, humor, and a continuation of the romance and intrigue left unresolved at the end of The Artful Dodger’s season 1.

What Season 2 Of The Artful Dodger Means

Continuing The Legacy Of Dickens With A Fresh Australian Twist

Thomas Brodie Sangster, Maia Mitchell, and David Thewlis in The Artful Dodger


The renewal of The Artful Dodger emphasizes its standing as a great addition to Disney+’s lineup, especially for those interested in historical dramas with a modern edge. The series marks a standout among contemporary adaptations of classic novels, while also affirming Disney+ and Hulu’s commitment to quality international content.

As The Artful Dodger ventures further into Dawkins’ double life throughout the 1850s, audiences can expect the series to further elevate its themes of identity, ambition, and redemption. With a touch of romance, humor, and amusing thievery, the historical drama continues to carve a niche for itself in a crowded streaming landscape, proving that reinventions of classic tales can still feel fresh and exciting, ultimately ensuring The Artful Dodger remains a must-watch.

Source: TVLine