The twists and turns that the story takes keep everyone on edge, delivering satisfying episodes each step of the way.

And while the plotting is a little all over the place, the central characters are sharply written and the chemistry between the leads fantastic, particularly as a romance starts to blossom between Belle and Dodger. Whatever your preferred flavor of period piece TV, The Artful Dodger likely has something that will have you asking for more.

What helps to make this curio of a show a little something more than a fast-paced distraction is David Thewlis, who plays Fagin.

Only four episodes were made available for review, but when the rest appear I will watch, at the very least for Mr. Thewlis. And Ms. Mitchell. And Mr. Brodie-Sangster.

The entire cast (including Tim Minchin as the wonderfully named villain Darius Cracksworth) are having an obvious blast, and snappy editing, the contemporary score and hyperactive directing by Jeffrey Walker help it zip along.

Despite the added maturity of the main character, nothing in The Artful Dodger acquires much emotion or depth, but thanks in large part to leads Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Maia Mitchell and, adding instant credibility, David Thewlis, there’s some playful entertainment to be found.

In departing from most of the usual hallmarks of the Dickensian world—from its vividly atmospheric descriptions of London to its host of complex personalities—all The Artful Dodger offers is flimsy comedy, half-baked characterizations, and a dubious romantic subplot.