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| The Artful Dodger Season 3 Could Be the Biggest Chapter Yet for Jack and Fagin. (Photo: Disney) |
Fans of The Artful Dodger finally have a reason to celebrate. After a gripping second season packed with betrayals, impossible choices and enough twists to make even Fagin pause for thought, the Australian historical crime drama is reportedly moving ahead with Season 3. Production is expected to begin in Sydney this September, signalling that Disney+ is ready to continue Jack Dawkins' complicated journey balancing life as a respected surgeon and an expert thief. If Season 2 proved anything, it's that Jack simply cannot enjoy a quiet afternoon without someone dragging him into another disaster.
According to production information, the new season will once again feature writers James McNamara, David Maher, David Taylor, Kate Mulvany, Dan Knight, and Miranda Tapsell, while Ben Young and Gracie Otto are set to direct the upcoming episodes.
With much of the creative team remaining in place, viewers can expect the same sharp mix of witty dialogue, emotional drama and elaborate crime stories that helped the series stand out among Disney+'s historical originals.
The Artful Dodger Season 2 finale, "Change of Heart," wrapped up several major storylines while deliberately leaving others hanging by a thread. Jack and Lady Belle Fox successfully save Lady Jane Fox from cholera, leading to an emotional confession that Dickie Fox is Belle's biological father rather than the Governor.
Lady Jane finally accepts Belle's relationship with Jack, giving the couple a rare moment of happiness after spending most of the season battling obstacles that seemed determined to keep them apart.
Elsewhere, the mystery surrounding the Devil's Elbow killings reaches its conclusion when Professor McGregor is revealed as the murderer. Before justice fully catches up with him, however, he stabs Dr. Rainsford Sneed, leaving viewers wondering whether the respected doctor survives.
Although Inspector Henry Boxer manages to stop McGregor before things become even worse, the finale never actually confirms Sneed's fate. Television writers do enjoy reminding audiences that certainty is apparently overrated.
Perhaps the biggest cliffhanger belongs to Fagin. After allowing Jack to drug him in order to escape the consequences of earlier events, he wakes inside a coffin buried underground.
Considering Fagin has survived just about everything life has thrown at him, it would be surprising if this turned out to be the end. If anything, viewers are already expecting him to emerge with another elaborate scheme and at least three sarcastic remarks about the experience.
The Artful Dodger Season 3 will almost certainly begin by resolving these unanswered questions. Fagin's escape will likely form one of the opening storylines, while Dr. Sneed's condition should finally be revealed.
The relationship between Jack and Belle is also expected to remain central. Although the pair ended Season 2 together, their future is still complicated by Jack's inability to completely abandon either medicine or his criminal instincts. Living two completely different lives has never been especially sustainable, but it certainly keeps the story entertaining.
The next chapter could also explore the consequences of Professor McGregor's crimes and how Port Victory continues to evolve after the dramatic events of Season 2. Inspector Boxer may find himself dealing with fresh criminal threats while trying to maintain order, and Belle's growing confidence could place her in an even stronger position alongside Jack rather than simply waiting for him to return from his latest impossible mission.
The Artful Dodger Season 3 expected returning cast includes Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jack Dawkins, Maia Mitchell as Lady Belle Fox, David Thewlis as Fagin, Luke Bracey as Inspector Henry Boxer, Nicholas Burton as Dr. Rainsford Sneed, and Susie Porter as Lady Jane Fox.
Other familiar faces who could also return include Lucy-Rose Leonard, Damien Garvey, Tim Minchin, Vivienne Awosoga, Albert Latailakepa, Brigid Zengeni, and Aljin Abella, giving the series plenty of established characters to continue developing.
Even before reports of the renewal surfaced, optimism surrounding another season had been building. During an interview with David Thewlis, the actor admitted the cast felt "quietly confident" about the show's future despite there being no official confirmation at the time. Those comments, combined with the series' growing popularity, encouraged plenty of speculation that Disney+ would eventually continue the story.
That confidence is hardly surprising. Season 2 earned an impressive 100% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes from its initial reviews while continuing to receive positive audience feedback.
Strong critical reception, healthy viewer engagement and a loyal international fanbase make a convincing argument for keeping the series alive, particularly when streaming platforms are increasingly investing in returning titles with proven audiences. As for the release date, filming reportedly begins in September 2026, making a lengthy production schedule likely given the show's detailed period setting.
If post-production follows a similar timetable to previous seasons, The Artful Dodger Season 3 is most likely to premiere sometime in late 2027, although an early 2028 debut cannot be ruled out depending on Disney+'s release strategy. Until an official announcement arrives, those dates remain expectations rather than confirmed plans. Across social media, reactions have been enthusiastic, although not everyone agrees on which storyline deserves the spotlight.
Many viewers cannot wait to discover how Fagin escapes what appears to be an impossible situation, while others are far more invested in Jack finally finding some balance between surgery and stealing things that definitely do not belong to him. Quite a few fans have also joked that Jack has one of television's worst records for making sensible life decisions, yet somehow remains impossible not to root for.
With major cliffhangers still unresolved, a talented cast expected to return and fresh production now reportedly moving forward, The Artful Dodger Season 3 looks well positioned to expand one of Disney+'s most entertaining historical dramas.
Now the biggest question is whether Jack can finally leave his criminal past behind—or whether trouble simply keeps his address permanently saved. What are your predictions for The Artful Dodger Season 3? Do you think Fagin will escape in spectacular fashion, and which returning character deserves the biggest storyline? Join the conversation and let us know your theories.