‘I end up hugging complete strangers and crying’: inside the epic episode that might change Bluey forever

Bluey is an incredible success story. It's a massive television program globally and has won an Emmy award. It's super popular with viewers, in fact, almost 33% of all TV views on Disney+ are of Bluey. In 2020, this family-friendly animation was second only to Suits in the streaming charts across all platforms. For the creator, Joe Brumm, there's one standout achievement that he likes to boast about - "Ryan Gosling is a fan of Bluey!" He says with a grin that his wife is especially thrilled about this.

Bluey is going to be even more huge in the near future. Even though the adventures of the animated canine and her clan have charmed the globe with episodes that are brief, sweet, and geared towards kids that last about seven minutes, the program will now premiere its debut elongated special, The Sign. It is Bluey's lengthiest installment yet at a total of 28 minutes.

Brumm said that it is a bit of a gamble, but they have made sure that it will not overstay its welcome. Could this potentially lead to a film adaptation of Bluey? Is it possible for the famous dog from Brisbane to make its way to Hollywood?

Brumm stated that if there are riots occurring both on the streets and in kindergartens, it may not be the best time to pursue this idea. However, Brumm loves the concept of carrying out this project for an even longer period. The outcome of this project will determine whether it's possible to expand its duration. Perhaps, Brumm might consider creating a movie, but it's still in the exploratory phase. This project is an excellent platform for gauging the public's reaction and determining possible future directions.

Bluey is a show that has set the bar high in terms of ambition. The hilarious and charming adventures of a young blue heeler dog have received widespread acclaim for pushing boundaries and creating unique experiences. We get to see glimpses of Bluey's daily life with Chilli, her mother; Bandit, her father; and Bingo, her younger sister. It's a beautiful representation of the magic of play and a wholesome portrayal of regular family life, where the storyline can take unexpected turns at any given moment.

Bluey is quite adept at exploring new avenues. After starting on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in 2018, it was later adopted by the BBC and Disney. The franchise has also given rise to popular books, catchy albums, interactive games, live performances, amusement park rides, and diverse merchandise. All these efforts and initiatives have made Bluey a lucrative property valued at approximately $2 billion.

The storyline for The Sign is being kept under wraps, but people are talking a lot about it before it airs. Fans on Bluey subreddits and podcasts are eagerly guessing what might happen, such as a new baby being born, someone passing away, or the family moving to a new house. Some people are even guessing that there could be surprising cameos from famous actors like Margot Robbie, Hugh Jackman, the Hemsworth brothers, or the Minogue sisters (Kylie and Dannii recently did a reading of a Bluey storybook on YouTube). However, there are also concerns that this episode might be the last one before the show takes a break.

Brumm is cautious about revealing spoilers but implies that there will be a wedding on the show. During the writing process for season three, ABC proposed the notion of a special episode. According to Brumm, it's safe to disclose that the special episode will revolve around a wedding. Since every sitcom has a wedding episode, Brumm felt inclined to explore this concept. The initial idea stuck in Brumm's head, and the story expanded from there.

We can confirm that popular Hollywood actor Joel Edgerton will soon appear on Bluey for the first time. He joins other well-known fans of the show, including Natalie Portman, Eva Mendes, and Lin-Manuel Miranda who previously made guest appearances. We also expect to see Patrick Brammall, who starred in the romantic comedy Colin from Accounts, on the upcoming episode. This is because the storyline may involve Bandit's older brother Radley (voiced by Brammall) and his spaniel girlfriend Aunt Frisky tying the knot. Additionally, Rose Byrne will continue her recurring role as Aunt Brandy.

Brumm stated that Pat and Harry (who co-created and co-starred in Colin from Accounts along with Brumm's real-life wife, Harriet Dyer) have earned all the praise they are receiving. He also expressed pride in the fact that both shows have achieved success overseas, and found it amusing that they both have dog-related themes. Brumm even recalls a reference to Bingo and Bandit, his own dogs, being included in their show.

Fans who frequent online forums have analyzed The Sign's title and interpreted it to mean that significant changes are on the horizon for the Heeler family. To add to the speculation, Brumm has affirmed that the stakes are higher and that characters will have to grapple with some issues. Fans of the show will relish in spotting past episode details making appearances. The show's overarching message is that one never really knows where any one situation might lead, and with any luck, viewers will both laugh and cry. In fact, the show even caused some of the crew to shed some tears, though Brumm jokes that parenthood often makes one weep at the slightest provocation.

The waggy-tailed success of Brumm has a strong British influence. He initially pursued an animation course on the Gold Coast, but later relocated to the UK. Brumm’s time in the industry included brief stints on popular shows like Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom and Charlie and Lola on CBeebies. He cherishes his time spent in London, where he absorbed their techniques, some of which he later implemented in Bluey. The experience of working alongside some of the industry’s finest professionals in Soho Square was one that filled him with joy. Brumm looks back on his Fridays spent drinking with his colleagues with a sense of nostalgia.

Brumm found inspiration from more than just children's television shows from Britain. A sitcom geared towards adults also played a significant role in his creative process. According to Brumm, Gavin and Stacey had a significant influence on his work. He admired how the show could appeal to multiple generations in the same manner as The Simpsons did. Brumm saw an opportunity to create a kids' show that could also entertain parents. As a result, he set out to create Bluey with this challenge in mind.

In 2010, Brumm went back to his hometown of "Brissie" and founded a little animation studio with the goal of making his own show. He wanted it to be an Australian version of Peppa Pig, a beloved pig character from Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom. Brumm decided to use blue heelers, a type of cattle dog that's common in the area, as the main characters for his show.

He explains that he enjoyed Peppa Pig because it had a distinct English feel to it, without relying on tired stereotypes or excessive patriotism. For example, a character called Mr Bull would simply say "It'll be done when it's done" while digging up a road, and the background often featured castles and canal boats. This is the kind of vibe he aims to create in his own show - something that feels truly Australian, but doesn't rely on the typical kangaroo and koala cliches. Instead, his show will focus on capturing the essence of everyday life in Australia.

The most important thing is that he changed the character of the main male figure in the family: "I find Daddy Pig funny, but I didn't want to create another silly and foolish father." So, Brumm transformed the program into a tribute to creative make-believe, where Bandit became a very involved, charmingly silly member of the game.

When I was spending time with my children, we would play games together that inspired the creation of the show. The show's earliest episodes were based on these games. During these games, I would switch between being the silly one or the one in charge. However, I could always step out of the game and be a good father when I needed to. Bandit, the character I play, is an improved version of myself, representing my best self. One of the things that I am most proud of in Bluey is the way it highlights the benefits of play. Playing can help a person develop socially, emotionally, and developmentally. I hope that this understanding will be one of the ways in which the show positively impacts its viewers.

Bandit was named Father of the Year in 2019 and is acknowledged for transforming men's perspectives on parenting. A Facebook community named "Bandits: The Bluey Group for Dads" is where 86,000 members exchange recommendations on how to handle their own little ones.

Brumm was caught off guard when Bandit suddenly became a role model. However, she is happy with his fatherly efforts. Bandit is actively involved in parenting, and he displays playfulness and affection towards his loved ones. He puts in a lot of effort and sacrifices for his family. Although he may get worn-out and irritable at times, Bandit shows bravery by owning up to his errors. These are some admirable traits that Brumm thinks others should look up to.

Brumm receives many letters from fathers who have been inspired by Bandit. These letters often make Brumm emotional. Fathers often tell Brumm that "Bluey" showed them how to be a better parent in a different way. Many of these dads didn't have a good role model growing up. Even though "Bluey" is a funny cartoon about a family of dogs, it has become very meaningful to many people. When Brumm attends events, many strangers come up to hug her and cry together.

He has been pleasantly surprised by the global success he has achieved. The way it has happened, such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, has been unexpected. He never thought he would be sitting in Madison Square Garden watching the premiere of Bluey's Big Play or winning a Bafta. He feels immensely satisfied, especially considering his career started in the UK, which made winning the Bafta feel like winning 50 Oscars. When he thinks back to the beginning, when he didn't know if he would even finish the first episode and was worried about going into debt or ending up in jail, he appreciates Bluey's success even more. Whenever he starts to take it for granted, he reminds himself of where he started and is reminded that he achieved his dream.

The creator of Bluey also has some personal favorites from the show's many episodes. He particularly loves Bin Night and Cricket, which made many Australian men cry. Pirates is also a standout for him since it was his first attempt at making a more complex storyline in just seven minutes. Dad Baby is another memorable episode for him as it references a Vietnam war movie and a backyard birth, which he hasn't seen anywhere else. He's proud to have taken those creative risks. Lastly, he genuinely loves The Sign. With the release of the super-sized episode and hopefully impressing viewers, he hopes that Bluey will continue to become more widely popular, even reaching Hollywood.

You can catch The Sign on various platforms depending on your location. If you're in the UK or US, you can check it out on Disney+. For those in Australia, it will be available on both ABC and ABC iView on Sunday, April 14th.