Oliver Twist was a novel by Charles Dickens which the Ninth Doctor spoke of on Christmas Eve 1869. (TV: The Unquiet Dead)
The Eighth Doctor mentioned that his companion Charlotte Pollard had helped him find a first edition of the book in Charing Cross Road. (AUDIO: The Chimes of Midnight)
Behind the scenes
- When Wolsey gains sentience in Oh No It Isn't!, he begins to sing "I'd Do Anything" from the musical adaptation of Oliver Twist. Benny stops him singing before he gets too far in.
- In Daughter of the Gods, voice actor Ian Crowe gave the character of Varx a gruff voice, which he stated was inspired by portrayals of Bill Sikes, the main antagonist of Oliver Twist. (BFX: Daughter of the Gods)
- Ron Moody starred as Fagin in the 1960 musical Oliver!, as well as its 1968 movie adaptation - both of which were based directly on this novel.
- In 1985, a BBC adaptation of Oliver Twist as a 12-episode miniseries was produced by Terrance Dicks. It boasted of an original score by Dudley Simpson and featured Davros actor Terry Molloy in the supporting role of Brittles, Mrs Maylie's handyman — a "comedic simpleton" role quite unlike the conniving Kaled scientist as whom Whovians know him better.
- In 2022, CBBC broadcasted a spinoff series entitled Dodger, a prequel to the novel focusing on the Artful Dodger. For this series, Christopher Eccleston played the role of Fagin.