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The creators of Disney’s Bluey just made a huge announcement that will change the way fans watch the popular children’s show, as it’s something the studio has never attempted up to this time.
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Credit: Disney/Ludo Studio
When Bluey Heeler, her sister Bingo, and her mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit, first welcomed kids into their home in Brisbane, Australia, in 2018, no one could have imagined the success the children’s show would quickly experience, nor could anyone have guessed the show would amass such a huge fanbase–and not just among children.
The Animator and the Heelers: A Different Kind of Kids’ Show
Bluey was created by Australian animator Joe Brumm and follows the everyday adventures and family life of the Heelers. Bluey and Bingo are known for their contagious eccentricities and inquisitiveness, while Chilli, Bluey’s mum, is known for her kind, nurturing nature, as well as the honesty with which she approaches motherhood. And Bandit, Bluey’s dad, is hilarious, especially in episodes of the show in which he uses a unicorn puppet to teach Bluey and Bingo about life.
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“Bluey” Season 3, Episode 29, “Puppets”/Credit: Disney/Ludo Studio
Each of the show’s five- to seven-minute episodes teaches a lesson in social skills, communication, and what it means to be a part of a family, but Bluey isn’t the typical children’s educational program, as there are no words, no numbers, no counting, no reading, and no quizzes about shapes or colors. Instead, Bluey features imaginative play and the modeling of behaviors within the show to teach little ones (and those who watch with them) about the importance of kindness, honesty, and being a member of a family.
Since its debut in 2018, Bluey has continued to gain more fans every season. With each new episode, new fans join the Bluey craze that has been sweeping the globe for more than five years. The show’s fanbase has enjoyed explosive growth since Bluey made its debut in 2019 on Disney+ and on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, thanks to Disney’s decision to purchase the distribution rights to the Australian children’s show.
And the global Bluey fandom is about to explode yet again, thanks to an announcement made by Ludo Studio, producers of Bluey.
“Bluey” extended-length episode, coming in 2024/Credit: Ludo Studio
A 28-minute episode of “Bluey” is coming in 2024! A special extended “Bluey” episode will premiere globally next year on Disney+ and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
“The Sign” is an extra-long episode with a run time of 28 minutes. It is penned by Bluey creator and writer Joe Brumm, directed by Richard Jeffery, and produced by Ludo Studio. Dave McCormack and Melanie Zanetti will reprise their roles as the voices of Bandit and Chilli Heeler.
“Bluey” extended-length episode, coming in 2024/Credit: Ludo Studio
“We’re so excited to share that a 28-minute special episode [of Bluey] is coming in 2024,” reads a statement from Ludo Studio, where Bluey is produced. “There’ll be lots of laughs, exciting guest voices, and definitely a few tears. We’re so incredibly proud of the awesome team behind the series, and we can’t wait for Australia and the world to watch this very special Bluey episode with their family and friends.”
The announcement even includes a teaser trailer (watch below) for the new episode, in which Bluey’s sister Bingo is heard shrieking with excitement, saying, “This is the happiest day ever of my life!”
The episode is the first in Bluey‘s history to last 28 minutes, and fans around the world are thrilled. While there’s no word from Ludo Studio about the reason behind a longer episode, the announcement has some fans wondering if the creators and producers of Bluey are using the episode to test audiences’ responses to more Bluey in one episode in an effort to move the show to a model that uses longer episodes, rather than the traditional short episodes that fans have come to love.
More Bluey in one episode? Yes, please! Fans can catch “The Sign,” the first extended-length episode of Bluey when it debuts in 2024 on Australia’s ABC network and on the Disney+ streaming platform.
