Bluey is an Australian animated preschool television series which premiered on ABC Kids on 1 October 2018. The program was created by Joe Brumm and is produced by Queensland-based company Ludo Studio. The show follows Bluey, an anthropomorphic six-year-old (later seven-year-old) Blue Heeler puppy who is characterised by her abundance of energy, imagination and curiosity about the world. The young dog lives with her father, Bandit; mother, Chilli; and younger sister, Bingo, who regularly joins Bluey on adventures as the pair embark on imaginative play together. Other characters featured each represent a different dog breed. The child characters of Bluey are voiced by children of the program's production crew and are not credited as voice actors.[1][2]
Character | Portrayed by | Breed | Appearances | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First | Series 1 | Series 2 | Series 3 | ||||
The Heeler family | |||||||
Bluey Heeler | N/A[a] | Australian Cattle Dog[b] | "Magic Xylophone" | Main | |||
Bingo Heeler | Main | ||||||
Bandit Heeler Dad |
David McCormack[4] | Main | |||||
Chilli Heeler Mum (née Cattle[c]) |
Melanie Zanetti[5] | Main | |||||
Muffin Heeler | N/A[a] | "BBQ" | Recurring | ||||
Socks Heeler | Recurring | ||||||
Uncle Stripe Heeler | Dan Brumm[6] | Recurring | |||||
Aunt Trixie Heeler | Myf Warhurst[7] | Recurring | |||||
Uncle Radley Heeler | Patrick Brammall[8] | "Double Babysitter" | Recurring | ||||
Aunt Frisky Heeler | Claudia O'Doherty | English Cocker Spaniel | Recurring | ||||
Chris Heeler Nana |
Chris Brumm[9] | Australian Cattle Dog[b] | "Grannies" | Recurring | |||
Bob Heeler | Ian McFadyen[10][d] | Guest | |||||
Mort Cattle[c] Grandad |
Laurie Newman[14] | "Grandad" | Guest | ||||
Aunt Brandy Cattle[c] | Rose Byrne[15] | "Onesies" | Guest | ||||
Chilli's Mum | Kate Miller-Heidke[16] | "Dragon" | Guest | ||||
Kids | |||||||
Lucky | N/A[a] | Labrador Retriever | "Keepy Uppy" | Recurring | |||
Chucky | "Pass the Parcel" | Recurring | |||||
Chloe[17] | Dalmatian | "Bike" | Recurring | ||||
Honey[18] | Beagle | "Spy Game" | Recurring | ||||
Mackenzie Border Collie[e] | Border Collie | "Fruitbat" | Recurring | ||||
Coco | Poodle | "Shadowlands" | Recurring | ||||
Snickers | Dachshund | Recurring | |||||
Rusty | Australian Kelpie | "Calypso" | Recurring | ||||
Dusty | "Cricket" | Guest | |||||
Digger | Guest | ||||||
Jack Russell[20] | Jack Russell Terrier | "Army" | Recurring | ||||
Lulu Russell | Recurring | ||||||
Indy | Afghan Hound | "Calypso" | Recurring | ||||
Winton | English Bulldog | "Markets" | Recurring | ||||
Pretzel | Chihuahua | "Calypso" | Recurring | ||||
Judo | Chow Chow | "Butterflies" | Recurring | ||||
The Terriers | Miniature Schnauzer | "Calypso" | Recurring | ||||
Lila | Maltese dog | "Daddy Dropoff" | Recurring | ||||
Missy | Australian Terrier | "Bob Bilby" | Recurring | ||||
Pom Pom | Pomeranian | "Seesaw" | Recurring | ||||
Buddy | Pug | "Bob Bilby" | Recurring | ||||
Winnie | Chocolate Labrador | "Café" | Recurring | ||||
Adults | |||||||
Pat Lucky's Dad |
Brad Elliot[11] | Labrador Retriever | "Keepy Uppy" | Recurring | |||
Janelle Lucky's Mum |
Anna Daniels[11] | "Pass the Parcel" | Recurring | ||||
Rusty's Dad | Anthony Field[21] | Australian Kelpie | "Army" | Guest | |||
Rusty's Mum | Jane Hall[22] | "Explorers" | Guest | ||||
Mrs. Retriever | Ann Kerr[23] | Golden Retriever | "Bob Bilby" | Recurring | |||
Calypso | Megan Washington[7] | Blue Merle Australian Shepherd | "Calypso" | Recurring | |||
Wendy | Beth Durack[f] Emily Taheny[g] |
Chow Chow[24] | "Fairies" | Recurring | |||
Fido | Eliot Fish | Chocolate Labrador | "Café" | Recurring | |||
Cornelius | Jake Bresanello | English Bulldog | "Markets" | Recurring | |||
Doreen | Kelly Butler | Great Pyrenees | "Bin Night" | Recurring | |||
Notable guests | |||||||
Surfer | Layne Beachley[7] | Shetland Sheepdog | "The Beach" | Guest | Cameo | ||
Postie | Anthony Field[21] | Catahoula Leopard Dog | "Dance Mode" | Guest | |||
Jack's Mum | Zoë Foster Blake[21][25] | Jack Russell Terrier | "Army" | Guest | |||
Jack's Dad | Hamish Blake[21][25] | Guest | |||||
Alfie | Robert Irwin[26] | Dingo | "The Quiet Game" | Guest | |||
Bella Coco's Mum |
Hsiao-Ling Tang[h] Leigh Sales[11] |
Poodle | "Shadowlands" | Guest | |||
Whale Documentary Narrator | Natalie Portman[28] | N/A[i] | "Whale Watching" | Guest | |||
Major Tom | Lin-Manuel Miranda[29] | Brown Icelandic horse[j] | "Stories" | Guest | |||
The Terriers' Mum | Carrie Bickmore[30] | Schnauzer | "TV Shop" | Guest |
Bluey Christine Heeler | |
---|---|
First appearance | "Magic Xylophone" (2018) |
Created by | Joe Brumm |
In-universe information | |
Species | Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) |
Gender | Female |
Occupation | Student at Glasshouse Primary School |
Family |
|
Relatives |
|
Home | Brisbane, Queensland |
Nationality | Australian |
Bluey Christine Heeler[31] is a Blue Heeler puppy. A six-year-old girl who would later on turn seven,[32] Bluey has a sprawling imagination and is curious and energetic. She loves to have fun with her friends and family, enjoys roleplaying numerous roles, and loves to pretend that she is a grown-up. Bluey has many peers, most of whom are from her class, but she has also befriended other kids her age; one such example is a Labrador named Jean-Luc, who becomes one of Bluey's friends.[33] She has a big buddy named Mia.[34] One of her more well-known personalities is that of a granny named Janet, who is depicted as a kind granny.[10]
Bingo Heeler | |
---|---|
First appearance | "Magic Xylophone" (2018) |
Created by | Joe Brumm |
In-universe information | |
Species | Australian Cattle Dog (Red Heeler) |
Gender | Female |
Occupation | Student at kindy (kindergarten) |
Family |
|
Relatives |
|
Home | Brisbane, Queensland |
Nationality | Australian |
Bingo Heeler is a Red Heeler puppy and the younger sister of Bluey. Bingo, who is four-years-old (later turning five[35]), is energetic, curious and playful, much like her sister, but is rather sensitive. Bingo is depicted as a kindergarten student, and has made numerous friends there including a Maltese dog named Lila, who she deems her best friend.[36] Bingo shows an interest in bugs, taking breaks from the games she plays to observe them.[37][38] One of her more well-known personalities is that of a granny named Rita, who is depicted as a mischievous granny.[10]
Main article: Bandit Heeler |
Bandit Heeler is the husband of Chilli, and father of his daughters, Bluey and Bingo, who he enjoys playing with. He takes any role he plays in a game they devise seriously despite often being seen as reluctant and unwilling to partake in their games. He often teaches life lessons to his daughters while he plays with them, but this strains his public relationship with them in some episodes. He is voiced by David McCormack.
Chilli Heeler | |
---|---|
First appearance | "Magic Xylophone" (2018) |
Created by | Joe Brumm |
Voiced by | Melanie Zanetti |
In-universe information | |
Species | Australian Cattle Dog (Red Heeler) |
Gender | Female |
Occupation | Airport security officer[2] |
Family |
|
Relatives |
|
Home | Brisbane, Queensland |
Nationality | Australian |
Chilli Heeler (née Cattle)[c] is the mother of Bluey and Bingo, and the wife of Bandit. While she fully partakes in her daughters' games, Chilli is much more level-headed and acts as a balance to the chaos. However, she can join in with the chaos when she sees fit. When not playing games, Chilli is depicted as a caring and comforting mother who wants the best for her daughters. While raising Bluey, Chilli, seeing Wendy's daughter Judo being the first to get sit up by herself, initially set herself the goal to get Bluey to walk before Judo could, but she failed, causing her to believe that she was a bad mother. However, she was told by Coco's mum, Bella, that she was doing good nonetheless. Ultimately, Bluey learned to walk when trying to hug Chilli.[39] It is implied that Chilli has suffered a miscarriage in her past,[40] and that her mum had died before the events of the series.[16] She is voiced by Melanie Zanetti.[5]
Muffin Cupcake Heeler[41] is a White Heeler[3] who is Stripe and Trixie's daughter, Socks' older sister and one of Bluey and Bingo's cousins. Muffin, who is three-years-old (later four[32]), is a very energetic and loud child who can sometimes be selfish and bratty, but has a good heart deep down. She is known to have a protracted phonological development where she struggles to pronounce the "L" and "R" sounds (e.g. "It was a vewociwaptor"[42]).
Socks Heeler is a Blue Heeler who is Stripe and Trixie's daughter, Muffin's younger sister and one of Bluey and Bingo's cousins. She is the youngest child in the Heeler family. In earlier episodes, she acts like a regular puppy, but later on would be able to walk and talk much like the rest of her family.[8] Later, she begins to utter full sentences.[43]
Stripe Heeler is a Blue Heeler who is the husband of Trixie, father of Muffin and Socks, one of Bluey and Bingo's uncles and is Bandit and Radley's younger brother.[12] Stripe is rather gentle, but is inexperienced when it comes to parenting. He shares a friendly sibling rivalry with his brother, Bandit.[44] He is voiced by Dan Brumm.
Trixie Heeler is a White Heeler who is the wife of Stripe, mother of Muffin and Socks, and one of Bluey and Bingo's aunts. While caring, energetic and level-headed, particularly when it comes to parenting, Trixie loves spending time with her family. She is voiced by Myf Warhurst.[7]
Radley Heeler is a Red/Blue Heeler mix who is the uncle of Bluey, Bingo, Muffin and Socks and is the older brother of Bandit and Stripe.[12] Radley looks out for his family and is laid-back, but can sometimes zone out at times. He worked on an oil rig in the west of Australia and because of this, he cannot visit his family often as he would like. Radley had developed a relationship with Bluey's godmother, Frisky,[8] who he eventually marries.[43] After learning that Frisky did not want to move west with him after their wedding, Radley decides to quit his job and move to the city and get a job there in order to remain close to his family. He is voiced by Patrick Brammall.
Frisky Heeler is an English Cocker Spaniel who is Bluey's godmother, as well as Radley's wife and thus aunt to the Heeler cousins. She and Radley met while babysitting Bluey and Bingo,[45] developing a relationship[8] and getting married in Bandit and Chilli's backyard soon after.[43] She is voiced by Claudia O'Doherty.
Nana Chris Heeler is a Blue Heeler. She is Bob's wife, Bandit, Stripe and Radley's mother, and Bluey, Bingo, Muffin and Socks' paternal grandmother. When her granddaughters visit her house at the Gold Coast, she allows them to get what they want. In "Fairytale", she is depicted as a kind-hearted mother to Bandit, Stripe and Radley, though was a strict parent when they were younger.[12] She is voiced by Chris Brumm.[6]
Grandpa Bob Heeler is a Blue Heeler. He is Chris's husband, Bandit, Stripe and Radley's father, and Bluey, Bingo, Muffin and Socks' paternal grandfather. In the episode "Grannies" he learned to floss alongside his wife. Sometime after this, Bob traveled to India to "find himself," resulting in a long absence that went unexplained until "The Sign", where it is revealed that he had been in India to "find himself". He is voiced by Ian McFadyen.[10] Sam Simmons voiced a younger Bob in "Fairytale".[11][12]
Grandpa Mort Cattle is a Red Heeler. He is Chilli and Brandy's father and Bluey and Bingo's maternal grandfather. Prior to retirement, he served in the Army.[46] He is voiced by Laurie Newman.
Aunt Brandy Cattle is a Red Heeler. She is Mort's daughter, Chilli's older sister, and the maternal aunt of Bluey and Bingo. Prior to her appearance in "Onesies", she and Chilli were separated for four years.[47] It is implied in "Onesies" that Brandy faced fertility issues,[48][15] but by "The Sign", she has become pregnant.[43] She is voiced by Rose Byrne.
Chilli's Mum was a Red Heeler. She was Mort's wife, Brandy and Chilli's mother, and Bluey and Bingo's maternal grandmother. She died at some point prior to the events of the series, but is depicted in Chilli's memory in the episode "Dragon" as a loving mother whose kind words of encouragement foster her daughter's drawing skills. She is voiced by Kate Miller-Heidke.[16]
Lucky is a Labrador Retriever, one of the Heelers' next-door neighbours, and the eldest son of Pat and Janelle.[32] He is depicted as an energetic kid who loves sports. While not explicitly attending Glasshouse Primary School, Lucky has numerous friends from there. He and his father support the Maroons.[49]
Chucky is a Labrador Retriever, one of the Heelers' next-door neighbours, and the youngest son of Pat and Janelle.[32] Much like his brother Lucky, he is also playful and kind, and is also sensitive. While not generally as sporty as his brother, Chucky likes watching football and is starting to show an interest in the sport. However, during the third game of a State of Origin series, Chucky has to choose between supporting the Maroons and the Blues, the team his mum Janelle barracks for. He ultimately barracks for the Maroons with the rest of his family.[49]
Rusty is an Australian Kelpie who is one of Bluey's close friends and the best friend of Jack Russell. Rusty is depicted as an adventurous, friendly and tenacious boy who puts his friends and family above himself, but can sometimes be a bit stubborn.[50] Aside from Jack, his best friend, Rusty's close friends include Bluey, Indy and Mackenzie. Rusty is quite sporty, and he aspires to play for the Australian national test cricket team when he grows up. He has two siblings, Digger, his kind and caring older brother, and Dusty, his energetic little sister,[51] and his father is in the army.[52]
Jack Russell is a Jack Russell Terrier who is Rusty's best friend and the new kid at Glasshouse Primary School. He is very nice and friendly and loves to play with his friends, which include Rusty, Bluey and Mackenzie.[52] He is shown to have attention deficit issues; he states that he "can't sit still or remember anything".[25] He has a little sister called Lulu, who is rather sassy.
Mackenzie Border Collie[e] is a Border Collie who is one of Bluey, Jack and Rusty's close friends. Having moved to Australia from New Zealand, he has a big heart, but prefers to get to the point when playing games. Being a Border Collie, Mackenzie is adept at herding and jumping on sheep.[53][54] He has a big buddy named Captain,[34] and his family roots for the Kiwis, much to his confusion.[49] Mackenzie once experienced a traumatic event after being left behind by accident, but eventually came to terms with this.[55] Bluey creator Joe Brumm cites Dog from New Zealand comic Footrot Flats, also a Border Collie, as an inspiration for Mackenzie's design.[56]
Chloe is a Dalmatian who is one of Bluey's best friends. She is very sweet and energetic.
Honey is a Beagle who is one of Bluey's friends. Much like her parents, she wears round-rimmed glasses. Honey is caring and assertive towards others, but sometimes has trouble keeping up with Bluey's games.
Coco is a Poodle who is one of Bluey's friends. While sweet and good-natured, Coco can sometimes come off as controlling and impatient.[27] She has eight other siblings.[39]
Snickers is a Dachshund who is one of Bluey's friends, having known her since they were babies.[39] While fun-loving and friendly, Snickers is aware of his skinny build and short limbs, which he considers a double-edged sword.[57]
Indy is an Afghan Hound who is one of Bluey's best friends. She has a regimented diet, leaving her unable to eat wheat, gluten, sugar, salt, dairy and food with any added ingredients.[58]
Winton is an English Bulldog who is one of Bluey's friends. He has shown difficulty in respecting personal space, but has gotten better with it over time. His parents are divorced, but his father is in a new relationship with the Terriers' mum.[43]
Judo is a Chow Chow who is one of Bluey and Bingo's friends and neighbours. Being a Chow Chow, she tends to become attached to some people, such as Bluey, Bingo and Pom Pom, and her hair is very hard to clean.[24] Judo also tended to be bossy,[59] but in later episodes is receptive to playing with Bluey and Bingo.[24]
The Terriers are triplet Miniature Schnauzer brothers. They commonly roleplay as soldiers. Their mum went through a divorce, but she would marry Winton's father.[43]
Pretzel is a Chihuahua in Bluey's class. Initially depicted as shy to play with his friends, he eventually becomes open to playing with them. He has a pet guinea pig that ran away and is implied to have two mothers.[43][60]
Lila is a Maltese dog who is Bingo's best friend. She was initially depicted as shy and apprehensive, but came out of her shell after meeting Bingo. The two would go on to be best friends, eventually graduating from school together.[61]
Missy is an Australian Terrier and one of Bluey and Bingo's friends. She was depicted as scared while playing high-intensity games, but is learning to come out of her shell and become a braver person.[62] She is implied to have been adopted.[63]
Pom Pom is a Pomeranian and one of Bluey and Bingo's friends. While the smallest out of Bluey and Bingo's friends, Pom Pom does not let that bring her down.[64]
Buddy is a Pug and is good friends with Bingo and the rest of the kids in Mrs Retriever's kindy class. Buddy is a loud breather and is often seen picking his nose, falling asleep at the top of the slide, or staring into space at nothing at all.[53]
Winnie is a Chocolate Labrador who befriends Bluey upon her entrance into the same playground, where they played a game of Café with their dads serving as the customers.[65] Over the course of the subsequent mornings, Winnie, Bluey and their fathers are drawn closer and closer to each other as they play the same game.[65] Bandit later invites Fido and Winnie to show up for breakfast.[65]
Pat is a Labrador Retriever, one of the Heelers' next-door neighbours, the husband of Janelle and the father of Lucky and Chucky.[32] He has close ties with the Heelers; he frequently involves himself with his neighbours' games and has befriended Bandit's brother Stripe. He barracks for the Maroons.[49] He is voiced by Brad Elliot.
Janelle is a Labrador Retriever, one of the Heelers' next-door neighbours, the wife of Pat and the mother of Lucky and Chucky.[32] While she does not involve herself with her neighbours' games, she is generally kind-hearted and wants the best for her sons. She has a good eye for planning birthday parties.[32] She is the only member of her family to barrack for the New South Wales Blues, having moved from the region.[49] She is voiced by Anna Daniels.
Rusty's parents are both Red Kelpies; Rusty's dad (voiced by Anthony Field[21]) is in the army,[52] and not much is known about his mum (voiced by Jane Hall), but she tends to charge outside with a thong if her work is interrupted. Both parents raise three kids, Digger, Rusty and Dusty.[51]
Mrs. Retriever is a Golden Retriever and Bingo's kindly teacher. She is voiced by Ann Kerr.[23]
Calypso is a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd and Bluey's school teacher. She is known for her songs, stories, and method of teaching. She is voiced by Megan Washington.[7]
Wendy is a Chow Chow and the mother of Judo. Wendy is a sophisticated woman who initially appears to be above the Heelers' games, but later joins in on them herself.[24] She has done ten years of pilates, which allows her to lift people heavier than she is.[66] She is also kind towards her peers, having made the Heelers five lasagnas after Bluey was born.[46] She is currently voiced by Emily Taheny, having been voiced previously by Beth Durack.[24]
Doreen is an elderly Great Pyrenees who is one of the Heelers' neighbours. She is very sweet and nice. She is voiced by Kelly Butler.
Fido is a Chocolate Labrador who befriends Bandit on a playground; the two are drawn by their respective daughters, Winnie and Bluey, to serve as customers in their game of Café.[65] The two fathers bond over many similar traits, such as an inclination to disrupt their daughters' games for their amusement and that of their offspring.[65] Fido is voiced by Eliot Fish.
Cornelius is Winton's father. He and his wife are recently divorced, which, according to Winton, has made him "lonely all the time." With both of their children's encouragement, he begins a relationship with the Terriers' mum, seemingly moving in with her.[43]