Christopher Eccleston in Oliver Twist-Inspired Dodger

Christopher Eccleston (The A Word, The Leftovers) has been cast in the role of Fagin in Dodger, a family adventure series set before the events of Charles Dickens’ iconic novel Oliver Twist.

Dodger follows the exploits of the infamous pickpocket “The Artful Dodger” and Fagin’s gang as they find ingenious ways to survive the grim and exploitative conditions of early Victorian London in the 1830s. David Threlfall (Shameless, Housewife, 49) plays Chief of Police Sir Charles Rowan. Dodger is played by Billy Jenkins (The Crown), with Saira Choudhry (Life, No Offence) as Nancy.

Produced by NBCUniversal International Studios, the 10×45-minute series is headed to CBBC and BBC iPlayer next year. The series is written by Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery with Charlie Higson guest writing an episode. Thomas also directs alongside Hildegard Ryan.

NBCUniversal Global Distribution is handling international sales.

Thomas said: “I have always loved Oliver Twist but wasn’t so keen on Oliver himself. I preferred the company of Dodger, Fagin and the gang. I thought it would be fun to create a family show with Dodger at its heart and see how he came to be a master criminal in Victorian London. Working with the very best material as a springboard, it’s a total delight to expand Dickens’ rich world of characters and create a few of my own. To top it all, we have an incredible cast who are starring in the show. I can’t wait for families all over the world to see it!”

Eccleston added: “Fagin is an iconic role, I’m a very fortunate actor. Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery have taken Charles Dickens’s extraordinary characters and imagined a whole new world and lives for them. I’m very, very excited.”

Mark Freeland, executive producer for NBCUniversal International Studios, said: “Being part of the life-affirming Dodger world is a dose of pure positivity and pleasure, exactly when it’s needed. I can’t wait to let everyone in.”