The wait is finally over for viewers who fell in love with the sharp-witted surgeon and pickpocket Jack Dawkins. The Artful Dodger Season 2 officially dropped all eight episodes on February 10, 2026, bringing back the fast-talking charm, high-stakes surgeries, and dangerous heists to Port Victory. Nearly three years after the first season became a quiet favorite on Disney+ and Hulu, the Australian sequel to Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist is back with a bigger budget, new rivals, and a noose waiting for its hero.
The second season arrives with a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from early critics, who praise its sharper storytelling and the expanding world of 1850s colonial Australia. This time, Jack is not just juggling a double life as a respected surgeon and a reluctant criminal—he is literally running from the hangman.
The Exact Streaming Date And Platform Breakdown For Every Region
The Artful Dodger Season 2 premiered on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. All eight episodes became available at once, continuing the full-season drop model used for the first season .
Streaming services by region:
- United States: Available exclusively on Hulu. Disney+ subscribers who have the Hulu bundle can also watch directly through the Disney+ app .
- United Kingdom: Streaming only on Disney+ under the Star brand .
- Canada: Available on Disney+.
- Australia: Streaming on Disney+ as an Australian Original production .
- India: Available on Disney+ Hotstar.
- Latin America & Europe (other regions): Available on Disney+.
- Global: Any territory with Disney+ access receives the series, with the exception of the US where it remains a Hulu original .
There are no weekly episodes. The complete second season—eight episodes in total—is available to binge immediately. Each episode runs approximately 45 to 50 minutes.
What Happens In Season 2? Jack’s Noose Problem And Belle’s Medical Fight
The official synopsis from Disney+ and Hulu confirms that Jack Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) is in the worst trouble of his life. He has an appointment with the gallows. The new lawman in town, Inspector Henry Boxer, is hunting him, and the conditions of his parole state that if he even sees Lady Belle Fox, he will be hanged immediately .
Lady Belle, played by Maia Mitchell, does not sit idle. She is determined to become Port Victory’s first female surgeon. She steps into danger, defying the strict social rules of the 1850s, all while her love for Jack hangs in the balance. To make things messier, Inspector Boxer also has his eyes on Belle, creating a tense romantic rivalry .
David Thewlis returns as Fagin, looking more ragged and cunning than ever. He drags Dodger back into the underworld for what is described as their most dangerous heist yet. A killer is also on the loose in Port Victory, adding a murder mystery element to the season .
Meet The New Faces: Luke Bracey, Jeremy Sims, And Zac Burgess
Season 2 expands the cast with three significant additions, all confirmed by Disney+ in their official casting announcement .
Luke Bracey joins as Inspector Henry Boxer. Boxer is not just a lawman; he is described as the new authority with personal motives. He is sophisticated, persistent, and competes directly with Jack for Belle’s attention. Bracey, known for Hacksaw Ridge and Elvis, brings a physical intensity to the role.
Jeremy Sims plays Uncle Dickie, the Governor’s charming but disreputable older brother. Sims, who many viewers recognize from Mr Inbetween, arrives in Port Victory to stir up trouble within the Fox family.
Zac Burgess, the rising star from Cruel Intentions and Boy Swallows Universe, plays Phineas Golden. He is Uncle Dickie’s handsome and capable aide, and his presence signals new complications for the town’s social order .
The entire main cast returns. Susie Porter is back as the formidable Lady Jane Fox, Damien Garvey as Governor Fox, and Tim Minchin as the slippery Darius Cracksworth. Lucy-Rose Leonard returns as the fan-favorite Lady Fanny Fox, and Nicholas Burton continues as Dr. Sneed. Fagin’s motley crew—Aljin Abella, Brigid Zengeni, and Albert Latailakepa—are also back with their chaotic energy .
Critics And Early Reactions: Why The 100% Score Matters
The second season currently holds a perfect 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from professional critics, based on seven reviews . While this score may shift as more reviews come in, the early consensus is clear: the show improved in almost every way.
Maggie Lovitt of Collider scored it 9/10, writing that the season guarantees viewers “will remember it as one of the decade’s best historical series” . Martin Carr at CBR also gave it 9/10, noting that the story “cartwheels through convention but makes sure to never outpace its audience.”
Gissane Sophia from Lady Geeks Media described the season as “grittier, messier, and more thought-provoking, all while delivering the most deliciously intoxicating romance.” Peter Gray from The AU Review rated it 4/5, praising how the show balances romance, suspense, comedy, and drama while expanding the world and deepening character arcs .
Sarah Dempster at The Guardian gave a more measured 3/5, appreciating the pace but noting that some viewers hoping for more than a louder re-tread of the first series might feel “a bit bleedin’ put out” .
Audience scores are not yet available due to an insufficient number of ratings, but early social media reactions praise the chemistry between Brodie-Sangster and Mitchell, as well as Luke Bracey’s performance as a genuinely threatening romantic rival.
The Production Scale: $37 Million, Historic Locations, And NSW Support
Season 2 is not just a creative step up—it is a financial one. The production received significant support from the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund. The New South Wales Minister for the Arts, John Graham, confirmed that the season injected over $37 million into the NSW economy, supporting jobs in the screen industry, hospitality, transport, and trades .
Filming took place in Sydney at the historic Callan Park, a heritage location that doubled for the expanded streets of Port Victory. More than 2,000 cast, crew, and extras were involved in recreating the 1850s colonial town. New sets were built to explore a previously unseen part of Port Victory—an area described as “not for the faint hearted” .
Curio Pictures, a Sony Pictures Television company, produced the series alongside Disney+. Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner served as Executive Producers and Producers. James McNamara returned as Co-Creator and lead writer, joined by Kate Mulvany, Dan Knight, and actress Miranda Tapsell, who also contributed to the writing room .
Ben Young, Gracie Otto, and Ben C. Lucas directed episodes this season. Otto previously directed episodes of the first season and worked on Ladies in Black and Heartbreak High .
Why The Show Returned After A Long Gap
The first season of The Artful Dodger premiered in November 2023. It was not an immediate global phenomenon, but it performed strongly enough on metrics that matter. Disney+ Australia confirmed that the show became the top Australian Original title for Disney+ to date, based on premiere episode views after 12 weeks. It held particular strength in Australia, the EMEA region, and on Hulu in the United States .
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand, stated that the return was driven by what global audiences were asking for. “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 calibre of production and its local and international audience success,” she said .
Unlike many streaming shows that face cancellation after one season, The Artful Dodger dodged the axe and secured a renewal that allows its story to continue properly.
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How To Watch Season 1 Before Starting Season 2
New viewers who have not seen the first season can catch up easily. Season 1 is available on the exact same platforms as Season 2: Hulu in the US, Disney+ in the UK, Canada, Australia, and most global territories, and Disney+ Hotstar in India.
The first season introduced Jack Dawkins as a skilled surgeon hiding from his past as London’s most famous pickpocket. Fagin’s arrival in Port Victory forced him back into crime, while his romance with Lady Belle put his future at risk. Season 1 ends with Jack choosing love over safety—a decision that directly leads to the noose waiting for him in Season 2.
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