Luke Bracey Calls His Artful Dodger Character a Mix of Sherlock Holmes and Mr. Darcy

Luke Bracey is bringing a new dynamic to Hulu’s The Artful Dodger in Season 2. The Australian actor, known for roles in Elvis, Point Break, and Hacksaw Ridge, joins the series as Inspector Boxer — a lawman whose moral convictions and sharp instincts put him at odds with the show’s roguish title character.

A Noble but Complex Character

Speaking about his role, Bracey described Inspector Boxer as “a bit Sherlock Holmes meets Mr. Darcy.” He explained that Boxer is mysterious, deeply moral, and committed to upholding the law. “He wants to do the right thing and believes in the rule of law,” Bracey said, noting that the inspector is not arrogant but willing to admit when he’s wrong.

Set in 19th-century Australia, The Artful Dodger reimagines Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist characters. Thomas Brodie-Sangster stars as Jack “Dodger” Hawkins, a former pickpocket turned surgeon, who struggles to leave behind his criminal past while pursuing Lady Belle (Maia Mitchell).

Conflict and Suspicion

Inspector Boxer arrives in Port Victory just as bodies begin turning up with organs surgically removed. Suspicion quickly falls on Dodger, though Boxer is careful to follow facts rather than emotion. “He’s not pig-headed and he’s not too proud,” Bracey explained. “He has his instincts, but he tries to be clear-minded.”

Lady Jane (Susie Porter), Belle’s mother, welcomes Boxer’s arrival, hoping he will arrest Dodger and marry her daughter. While Boxer develops a genuine friendship with Belle, he is caught off guard by his unexpected feelings. “He doesn’t expect to have feelings for anyone, so it throws him off what he prides himself on — being clear minded,” Bracey said.

Clashes With Lady Jane

Bracey noted that Boxer respects Lady Jane’s intelligence but often clashes with her manipulations. “Just because you’re running the show doesn’t mean you can bypass what is right,” he said. Despite knowing his position in the colony’s hierarchy, Boxer refuses to compromise his moral code.

Reunion With Susie Porter

The series also marks a reunion for Bracey and Porter, who co-starred in the 2025 film The Travellers. Bracey praised Porter as “a fantastic actress and a wonderful person to be around.”

Looking Ahead

Beyond The Artful Dodger, Bracey will take on the lead role of Charles Ingalls in Netflix’s reboot of Little House on the Prairie. He said both period dramas share a focus on strict moral codes and social decorum. “It’s such an easy thing to immerse yourself into the new world when you’re portraying this kind of time 140 years ago,” Bracey reflected. With Inspector Boxer, Bracey adds a fresh layer of intrigue to The Artful Dodger, blending detective-like instincts with romantic vulnerability in a performance that promises to challenge Dodger’s world.