Wellington’s own ‘Artful Dodger’ brings Pacific pride to Disney+ hit

When a Disney+ audition landed in his lap, Wellington-born Albert Latailakepa didn’t try to fit in. He brought himself.

That choice has made the Tongan-Sāmoan a unique presence to the hit historical drama, The Artful Dodger - a fan fiction sequel to Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.

Season Two launched in February and Latailakepa plays Aputi Savea, a boxing champion-turned grave digger.

“When the opportunity came through and they wanted a Pasifika character, they wanted the actor to be Pacific, I was stoked,” Latailakepa tells PMN Tonga.

“It's always surreal when people mention it. As I always say, it's a blessing to be part of the opportunity.”

Set in the gritty world of 1850s Australia, the series follows Jack Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster - The Maze Runner, Nanny McPhee) as he struggles to outrun his past.

The Artful Dodger is packed with love, loss, and deception, but for Latailakepa, the experience has been a masterclass in authenticity.

“I didn't have to put on anything,” Latailakepa says. “I felt like they wanted me just to be myself. I was very proud.”

Working closely with creator James McNamara, he ensured Pacific culture was honoured on screen.

'Artful Dodger' c. 1890 by Joseph 'Kyd' Clayton Clark (1857-8 August 1937), who was a British. Photo/Wikipedia

In Season Two, Latailakepa notes that viewers can expect even more representation, with “little moments where I get to shine light on some of the Pasifika culture.”

Latailakepa’s path to the screen is an unconventional one.

He grew up in a household focused on health sciences, his father has a Bachelor of Science, his older sister is a nurse practitioner, and his three younger sisters are all university students.

Latailakepa was originally on track to study law. However, he says the arts have always held his heart.

A graduate of Toi Whakaari, Latailakepa has been making a name for himself in the Wellington theatre scene with his “wild and unhinged” collective D’ Things N Such. He recently wrapped on the autodrama play about Fonotī Pati Umaga, Musical Portrait of a Humble Disabled Sāmoan.

He has also featured in New Zealand television series such as Beyond the Veil, Wellington Paranormal, Far North.

“After my first year at uni, I just felt like I was going down a path that felt like I was going to be faking it a lot. So I decided to do acting, where you do a lot of faking stuff,” he laughs.

The Artful Dodger dives into its most dangerous season yet with the main Dawkins caught between the law, a killer on the loose, and his love for Lady Belle. Latailakepa’s portrayal of Savea remains a grounded, powerful presence of Pasifika strength.

Latailakepa says featuring on a global platform such as Disney+ is “surreal”, but his message to other aspiring Pacific creatives is to hold on to their values.

“People call it cliché, but sometimes just bringing yourself to the work does wonders. Be aware that if you're amongst it and you get the opportunity, don’t let it go to waste.”

From Wellington to a global streaming platform, Albert Latailakepa is proof that Pacific stories, told with honesty and pride, have a place on the world stage.

The Artful Dodger Seasons One and Two are now streaming on Disney+, with strong predictions of a Third to be announced soon.