Agnes Fleming is pregnant by Edwin Leeford and is keen to marry him but unbeknownst to her he is already married and his wife lives abroad with their sick son Monks. Leeford is ecstatic to find out he has been left an inheritance by an uncle in Rome and travels to Italy to claim it, however while on his travels he dies suddenly. Agnes is forced to flee when Mrs Leeford and Monks come after her believing that her death will allow them to inherit Mr Leeford's new found fortune. At a small seaside town, Agnes dies following childbirth and the child is christened Oliver.
Nine years have passed and Oliver is sent to the Workhouse. Having dared ask for more food, he is sold to the service of an undertakers. Monks, his half brother who is tracking him down, nearly catches Oliver but Oliver runs away from the Undertakers and travels to London. While on his travels, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger who introduces him to Fagin, Nancy and Bill Sikes. Fagin is working for Monks and plots to discredit Oliver in front of Mr Brownlow in the hope that this will forfeit his inheritance, however their plot falls apart when Brownlow takes Oliver into his home instead.
Fagin and Sikes send Nancy to get Oliver back from Mr Brownlow and the young boy is kidnapped and his new belongings are taken from him, with Oliver worrying what Mr Brownlow will think of him as he has not returned. Monks manages to retrieve the locket that will help to prove Oliver's true identity . Fagin decides to use Oliver on a burglary of Brownlow's country estate in another attempt to discredit him and he is sent with Bill Sikes and Toby Crackitt to break into the mansion. However in the bungled attempt, Oliver is shot and left for dead. The following morning Oliver manages to make it to Brownlow's house and Mrs Bedwin recognises him. Hearing of the failed attempt to rob Brownlow, Fagin and Monks set out to visit Brownlow's estate.
Oliver and Rose recognise Monks and Fagin following their discovery. Nancy tries to help Oliver by talking to Mr. Brownlow about recent events but stays loyal to Sikes and Fagin although she does reveal some interesting information about Monks. Unbeknown to Nancy, Sikes has been following her and later that evening he murders her in revenge. Sikes goes on the run and eventually Oliver's future is secured and his life finally looks brighter. Mrs Leeford dies and Monks sees the light and repents of his wrongdoings