Dodger (TV series)

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Dodger
GenreComedy Drama
Created byRhys Thomas
Inspired byOliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Written by
Directed byRhys Thomas
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes14
Production
Executive producers
  • Mark Freeland
  • Amy Buscombe
  • Lucy Montgomery
  • Rhys Thomas
ProducersFrancis Gilson and Lauriel Martin
CinematographyPete Rowe
EditorChristopher Bird
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time45 / 55 minutes
Production companyBBC Studios Kids & Family (2023) Universal International Studios
Original release
NetworkCBBC
Release6 February 2022 (2022-02-06) –
present

Dodger is a British family comedy drama series, inspired by the Artful Dodger from the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. The series serves as a prequel to the events of Oliver Twist.[1] The first 10 episodes launched on 9 February 2022, on BBC iPlayer and were subsequently repeated on BBC One. Series One was followed by three specials, ‘Train’ in November 2022, ‘Christmas’ in December 2022 and ‘Bad Egg’ on Easter Saturday 2023 on BBC One. The series has an all-star cast led by Christopher Eccleston as Fagin and Billy Jenkins as Dodger.

Following a BAFTA, RTS and Writer's Guild Award, a Christmas Special for 2023 was commissioned by the BBC, which airs on BBC One over Christmas 2023, guest starring Nicola Coughlan, Toby Stephens, Paul Whitehouse and Simon Callow.

Premise[edit]

Set in 1830s Victorian London, the series revolves around Jack Dawkins, better known as the Artful Dodger, and his exploits as part of Fagin's gang, prior to his introduction in Oliver Twist.[2]

Cast[edit]

Main[edit]

Recurring[edit]

Guest Stars[edit]

Production[edit]

In May 2021, it was announced in a press release that CBBC had commissioned a ten-part series, following the Artful Dodger's exploits, to be produced by NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.[2]

Principal photography for the first series took place in Manchester and various locations around North West England.[2] Shooting for the fifth episode took place at Grand Theatre, Blackpool.[3]

Production on three special episodes took place over the summer of 2022 and wrapped in Bristol in September.[4] Filming took place at Bristol's The Bottle Yard Studios and on location in the city.[5]

The Christmas Special was filmed at Luton Hoo doubling as Saffron Hill and St Alban's Cathedral as Westminster Abbey. In 2023 Another Christmas special was announced and BBC Studios Kids & Family joined in on production.

Music[edit]

The series features original music written by Joel Cadbury and Will Harper.[6]

Release[edit]

The first 5 episodes were made available on BBC iPlayer on 6 February 2022, after the first episode premiered on CBBC in the United Kingdom,[7] with episodes airing weekly on the CBBC channel. Episodes 6–10 were later made available on BBC iPlayer on 13 March 2022, after the sixth episode aired on CBBC.[8] The first series started airing weekly on the BBC's flagship channel, BBC One, from 13 March 2022.[9][6]

The first two episodes in a series of three one-off specials premiered on the CBBC channel on 27 November and 4 December 2022.[10][11] The third special premiered on the CBBC channel on 7 April 2023.[12]

NBCUniversal Global Distribution is handling international sales for the show.[2]

Reception[edit]

The first series was the most watched CBBC commissioned programme between September 2021 and September 2022.[13]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
2022 British Academy Children's Awards[14] Director Rhys Thomas Nominated
Scripted Dodger Won
Writer Lucy Montgomery, Rhys Thomas Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Oliver Twist given new spin in BBC sequel to Charles Dickens novel". the Guardian. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Christopher Eccleston, David Threlfall, Billy Jenkins and Saira Choudhry star in new BBC drama Dodger". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  3. ^ "BBC Drama DODGER - Blackpool Grand Features in Children's Drama". Blackpool Grand Theatre. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Christopher Eccleston, Billy Jenkins Return for Three 'Dodger' Specials". Variety. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  5. ^ Tara (1 September 2022). "Dodger (CBBC) wraps production in Bristol". The Bottle Yard Studios. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  6. ^ a b Ravindran, Manori (8 April 2022). "BBC's 'Dodger' Gets Soundtrack Release – Global Bulletin". Variety. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  7. ^ Goldbart, Max (4 February 2022). "Universal International Studios Exec Mark Freeland On Hopes For CBBC 'Oliver Twist' Spin Off 'Dodger' And Plans For "Another Epic Idea With Family Appeal"". Deadline. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Dodger: Meet the cast and creators of CBBC's Victorian adventure". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  9. ^ "BBC One London - Schedules, Sunday 13 March 2022". BBC. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  10. ^ "CBBC - Schedules, Sunday 27 November 2022". BBC. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  11. ^ "CBBC - Schedules, Sunday 4 December 2022". BBC. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Dodger: The Bad Egg". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Production has wrapped on hit family comedy drama Dodger". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  14. ^ "BAFTA's Children & Young People Awards 2022 - Winners". www.bafta.org. 27 November 2022.
  15. ^ "RTS Awards: BBC takes home 17". 29 March 2023.

External links[edit]

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