‘Dodger’ trailer: Christopher Eccleston is Fagin in fun new ‘Oliver Twist’ prequel
The first trailer has been released for Dodger.
Set in the world of Oliver Twist before the events of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, the BBC’s upcoming series for kids is described as a “funny, optimistic, fast-paced comedy drama full of jeopardy.”
Dodger follows the exploits of the infamous pickpocket, The Artful Dodger and his gang as they find ingenious ways to survive the grim and exploitative conditions of early Victorian London in the 1830s.
Billy Jenkins, who may be familiar to The Crown fans as the young Prince Charles in the first two seasons, is playing the titular Dodger – alongside former Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston as Fagin.
Hinting at what to expect from the series, Eccleston commented: “It’s about a family. Fagin has created a family, so it’s about sibling and family dynamics.”
He added: “I want the audience to take pleasure from it. I want them to invest in the characters, invest in the relationships within the gang. I want them to laugh, I want them to cry and I want them to stay with us. They will also hopefully see themselves in Dodger.”
Eccleston also revealed what drew him to sign up for Dodger: “As a child, as much as I adored the films, I wasn’t that interested in Oliver Twist. Because of my council estate background, I always wanted to know what happened to Fagin and the kids and how they survived.
He explained: “[The writers] have taken those characters and created a whole new set of back stories. Through Fagin and the gang, they look at the reality of what it was like to be the underclass in Dickensian London.”
The official synopsis reads: “Dodger follows the gang as they are down on their luck, ducking and diving their way through the tough London streets the gang are trying to keep one step ahead of the police as they embark on Dodger’s latest madcap scheme.
“Whether it’s acting in a haunted theatre, sneaking into Madame Tussauds, posing as a long-lost boy, printing their own dodgy money, a daring rescue from a hellish carnival, running the gauntlet with obsessive Egyptologist – even breaking into Buckingham Place – will the law finally catch up with Dodger and send him to the gallows?
“Hold onto your top hats, Dodger’s going to be one heck of a ride…”
Watch the trailer:
All ten 45-minute episodes of Dodger will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from Sunday 6th February, as well as airing on the CBBC channel.
We’re not yet sure when and where the series will air in the US, but we’ll keep you updated if we hear any news.
Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist is available on Amazon.