Dodger

This is the show that Netflix's Irregulars could've been if pitched to CBBC. It's fun, family centred entertainment, using characters familiar to all. This is the kind of TV the BBC has done so well for years. I'm surprised it's only on CBBCand not getting an early Sunday evening slot on BBC One, where shows like this used to live.

Reviewers complaining it's "woke" or "historically inaccurate" because of a colour blind cast (don't let them near The Great or Bridgerton!) are missing the point, it's not supposed to be, and I'm surprised they haven't complained that Christopher Eccleston isn't Jewish. I can agree that there wouldn't be a black mill owner in early Victorian Lancashire, but if they don't believe that there were black, Asian and mixed race people in Britain at that time, especially in the East End of London, I'm not sure what history they're referring to.

Ignore the bad reviews on here. This show was created for CBBC and it's great to see a proper production and cast for a children's show. Perhaps it's because they've repeated it on BBC1 in the Sunday afternoon family slot, or because it's on iPlayer, but many seem to be confused about the target audience and are judging it by adult television standards.

Some commenters on here seemed to have missed the fact that this is Children's TV, and for that it is entertainment, nothing more. Yes, there is a bit of forced ethnicity which is unrealistic, but at least children (and indeed the disabled) see themselves represented. If you think that's a bad thing then you have swallowed the Anti-BBC newspaper's spin. Think about why Sky-owning Murdoch wants the BBC shut down eh?

It's amusing and good family viewing. You kids will love it.

First let me say it's a good show. My kid loves it and it's interesting enough from an adult perspective that my wife and I can both watch it as well. It's well acted with reasonable amounts of humour and drama side by side.

One thing I found very interesting was that just like real life Victorian London this show had a number of black and brown people in it. This wouldn't be remarkable but for the people who seem enraged by the inclusion of nonwhite actors in the cast because their inclusion constitutes "wokeism". Period pieces are never really realistic because if they were no one would watch them. Our mores are too different and the disease, filth, cruelty, and degradation they took for granted would be unbearably repulsive for us. The shows are aimed at showing a relatable view of the past rather than showing the past as it actually was. So it seems very strange for anyone to ignore the genuinely unrealistic aspects of this and every show set in the Victorian era to fixate on the fact that London was accurately portrayed as having ethnic minority residents.

No show is perfect of course and I found that some of the plots demanded that minor characters display a level of stupidity that was truly astounding. Overall though I'd say it was entertaining and definitely worth giving a chance.

It's funny how many negative reviews appear for a Childrens tv show by adults, complaining about ethnicity, plot, acting and even make up of the child actors. There are many children who happily watch all manner of shows that do not stand up to a critical review.

If the kids like a harmless show - let them watch it.

If you like it as well - great, (But if you can't say nuthin' nice - don't say nuthin') Steve And I love Pratchett.

By coincidence, my favourite book is Dodger and I only wish there had been time to possibly start a series in the style of the Tiffany Aching series... (Though if they were produced by CBBC it would host a vast number of negative reviews!)