Hulu's 16-Episode 'Guy Ritchie Meets Charles Dickens' Crime Caper Is A Masterclass In Mixing Genres

Published Nov 8, 2026, 3:00 AM EST

El is a Junior TV Features Editor for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel.

Hulu's 16-episode crime drama, a fun, unexpected mix of Charles Dickens' storytelling and Guy Ritchie's signature style, is a masterclass in mixing genres, and more episodes are on the way. Sometimes, the best shows are the ones that, on paper, shouldn't work; those that somehow juggle extensive ensembles, shifting tones, and multiple narrative threads while fighting the constraints of their primary genre. As long as the show stays true to its original premise and develops its characters organically without forcing any storylines, however, the result can be undeniably rewarding.

Few shows mix genres better than Hulu's wholly original Charles Dickens "legacy sequel," The Artful Dodger, which follows Thomas Brodie-Sangster's Jack "Dodger" Dawkins 15 years after the events of Oliver Twist. A pickpocket-turned-trained surgeon working in a small coastal penal colony in Australia, Jack's thieving past comes back to haunt him when his mentor/father figure, Fagin (played fantastically by David Thewlis), arrives in Port Victory and immediately lures Jack into another one of his dastardly schemes: a dangerous plan to steal gold from the British Crown.

Crucially, everyone can watch The Artful Dodger, even if they've never read or seen Oliver Twist. Jack and Fagin are a hilariously tragic duo, both easily tempted by a life of crime. The heists in seasons 1 and 2 are straight out of a Guy Ritchie movie, as are the show's fast-paced, bloody action sequences, Fagin's motley crew of part-time criminals, and the anachronistic soundtrack (Wolfmother's "Joker and the Thief" is particularly effective). Fagin isn't the only threat to Jack's security, however — not by a long shot.

The Artful Dodger Masterfully Mixes 4 Different Genres

Credit: Disney+

The Artful Dodger masterfully blends four typically unrelated genres. It's a funny, exciting crime caper; a thoughtful, Victorian-era period piece; a gruesome medical drama; and a swoon-worthy romance all in one. Jack's relationship with Fagin and his criminal past is just one side of the coin. Jack is also Port Victory's most talented doctor. The series includes numerous thrilling surgery scenes, as Jack and his new "apprentice," governor's daughter Lady Belle Fox (Maia Mitchell), invent and perfect daring new surgical techniques. This, in turn, leads them to fall in love, a romance so well-developed it rivals even Bridgerton's best efforts.

The show never feels overly ambitious or crowded, though. Jack's story and development anchor everything. Brodie-Sangster is more than capable, seamlessly switching between cocky surgeon, romantic hero, and cunning 19th-century criminal with practiced ease. His underlying desire for danger ties it all together. He risks his reputation and even his life every time he hangs out with Fagin or flirts with Belle — society will never deem him an "appropriate" match for her — yet he can't bring himself to stop. He's addicted to the adrenaline and the rush of succeeding, whether he's performing an illicit surgery, kissing Belle in a closet, or pulling off an impossible con.

The Artful Dodger Will Return For Season 3 (But There's A Catch)

Credit: Disney+

Though The Artful Dodger's second eight-episode season only arrived earlier this year in February, Hulu and Disney+ confirmed in August that the series would return for a third season. The timing is significant: it took a full year for the show to be officially renewed after season 1 premiered in November 2023, so this is a much faster turnaround. Hulu's official X account teased that production on the new season had already begun in Sydney, Australia, at the end of September. Thomas Brodie-Sangster, David Thewlis, and Maia Mitchell are all set to return as the show's leading trio.

The Artful Dodger's season 3 renewal isn't necessarily surprising. Disney revealed that it was the "most-viewed Australian Original title for Disney+ to date." Still, there's a catch. The third season will also be the show's last.

Though it's a shame there will only be a handful more episodes of this bonkers, fun, insightful, and original drama, fans (and potential new viewers) can at least rest assured that the show will have a satisfying conclusion. In this age of premature streaming cancellations, that kind of closure feels increasingly rare. The show's renewal is especially heartening after the season 2 finale left Fagin's fate hanging in the balance, while finally giving Jack and Belle a future to look forward to. Whenever The Artful Dodger season 3 arrives, it'll surely be an ending to remember.

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