The Artful Dodger Season 2 Spoilers Ahead
The long-awaited return of The Artful Dodger is here, and it’s an exceptionally thrilling ride that continues to explore how the unique characterizations in the show are synonymous with a solid adaptation that effectively diverts from the source material. Season 2 is grittier, messier, and more thought-provoking, all while delivering the most deliciously intoxicating romance.
So much of the first season felt experimental in all that they explore and how we get to know characters, but The Artful Dodger Season 2 is so grounded and lived-in that even the angst and separation work to touch on deeply rooted emotions that carefully stick the landing. While the plot moves forward, the characters continue growing with secrets and revelations that strengthen dynamics without ever once feeling forced or inorganic.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Maia Mitchell’s Jack and Belle weren’t the season’s standout characters alongside David Thewlis’s Fagin and Luke Bracey’s Inspector Henry Boxer. (But really, everyone is exceptional this season and there’s not a single person who feels out of place, even if they’re there to stir the pot.) The season carefully explores all character journeys in a manner that never feels like they’re delivering unnecessary drama, but instead touches on matters of the time in a way that makes each episode more gripping than the last. As circumstances ultimately force Jack and Belle apart and to a place where they have to sneak around, the forbidden romance trope is brought to life with stunning longing and even more stunning performances.
I thought they were lovely in the show’s debut season, but everything about Season 2 makes it better. The yearning is at another level, showcasing that on rare occasions, keeping a couple apart adds layers and even more nuance to their relationship. The conclusion that then results in their happy ending with the blessing from her parents is the kind of moment that leaves viewers with plenty of warmth to sit with. We fought for a Season 2 with the way Season 1 ended, but if The Artful Dodger doesn’t return, this is the kind of finale that’s at least comforting, making the entire arc neatly wrapped up in a style that feels fully earned.
In large part, both Jack and Belle’s individual character journeys, as well as how they evolve as doctors and the thoughtful conversations the series leaves room for, underscore the narrative’s strength. It’s better, bolder, and more sincere than Season 1 as a careful deconstruction of societal expectations and the lengths people have to go through to be taken seriously. That much still shines in the first season, but The Artful Dodger Season 2 cranks up every dial to leave us with something that’s ultimately hopeful.
In the year of our lord 2026, romances like Bridgerton, The Artful Dodger, and even PBS’s Miss Scarlet bring warmth to historical settings that were often dreary and heartbreaking. Where we were used to significant character deaths and horrible outcomes, fiction today leaves a little more room for love and hope, which allows the extraordinary turn of events to allow the series to stand out and be remembered.
The Artful Dodger Season 2 is now streaming on Hulu.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Disney+/Hulu