Hulu’s The Artful Dodger is returning for a second season three years later — so who is and isn’t returning after that deadly cliffhanger?
Acting as a sequel to Charles Dickens‘ novel Oliver Twist, The Artful Dodger is set in the 1850s and follows Jack Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), who is a former Royal Navy surgeon trying to establish himself as a respected young doctor.
“When an old acquaintance, Fagin, resurfaces, it forces Jack, once a London-based pickpocket known as the Artful Dodger, back into a life of crime,” read the official synopsis. “Jack forms an attachment to the governor’s daughter, Lady Belle Fox, who aspires to be a surgeon.”
The description continued: “As Jack’s past intersects with the present and external forces jeopardize his goals, his life unravels, raising questions about whether he can genuinely reshape his life in the colony as he had envisioned.”
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The first season, which premiered in 2023, concluded with Fagin (David Thewlis) getting the better against Oliver Twist (Hal Cumpston) while Jack performed risky surgery to save Belle (Maia Mitchell). Before the love interests can be reunited, Jack is betrayed and arrested by Gaines (Damon Herriman).
One year after the show debuted on Hulu, the streaming service renewed it for a second season.
“The Artful Dodger returns, and he’s in deep trouble. He’s got an appointment with the noose, he’s being hunted by Inspector Boxer, Port Victory’s new lawman, and if he sees the woman he loves, Lady Belle, he’ll be hanged,” teased the official synopsis. “Meanwhile, Lady Belle is determined to forge her future in medicine, defying expectation and stepping into danger, driven by ambition and a love already hanging in the balance.”
The description concluded: “With Boxer competing with Jack for Belle’s affection, the crafty Fagin drags Dodger into their most dangerous heist yet, and a killer is on the loose. Get ready for an explosive season of new characters and locations with more thrills, humor, heart, invention and deception than ever.”
Keep scrolling to see which cast members are — and aren’t — coming back when the show returns:
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
There would be no Artful Dodger without Jack Dawkins so Brodie-Sangster is returning — despite that cliffhanger.
David Thewlis
Jack’s surrogate father a.k.a Fagin also has a central role in the sophomore season of the show.
Maia Mitchell
After Jack and Belle’s relationship became the main focus of season 1, Mitchell is back in the fan-favorite role.
Susie Porter
Belle’s mother is expected to keep playing a role in keeping Jack and Belle apart.
Damon Herriman
Gaines isn’t expected to return in season 2 after being a main character on the show.
Damien Garvey
The rest of the Fox family is also a crucial part of the show.
Lucy-Rose Leonard
Belle will need her sister by her side in the second season of the show.
Nicholas Burton
Since Jack will keep performing surgeries, Sneed is back in the hospital as well.
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Luke Bracey
Belle and Jack’s romance might hit a snag with the introduction of Bracey’s Inspector Henry Boxer.
Jeremy Sims
Sims is introduced as Uncle Dickie in season 2 of The Artful Dodger.
Zac Burgess
Burgess will be part of the ensemble cast when The Artful Dodger returns to Hulu.
Hal Cumpston
Cumpston’s return hasn’t been confirmed for season 2.
