Driving (Bluey)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Children's entertainment |
| Founded | October 1, 2018 |
| Founder | Joe Brumm, Ludo Studio |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Animated television series, picture books, DVDs |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Studios, The Walt Disney Company (international rights) |
Bluey is an Australian animated program tailored for preschool audiences that first aired on ABC Kids on 1 October 2018. Developed by Joe Brumm in partnership with Queensland-based Ludo Studio, the narrative centers on Bluey, a lively and imaginative six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy. Bluey shares her adventures with her father, Bandit; mother, Chilli; and younger sibling, Bingo, all of whom engage in creative play alongside her. The characters represent a variety of dog breeds, some inspired by Brumm’s own pets from childhood. The series highlights themes such as nurturing family relationships, Australian cultural elements, and the significance of play. Production takes place in Queensland, with Brisbane serving as the inspiration for the show's setting. The project was jointly commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the BBC, with BBC Studios managing worldwide distribution and merchandising rights. In 2019, international broadcasting rights were secured by The Walt Disney Company.
Since its launch on 1 October 2018, Bluey has released a total of 154 episodes across three seasons. The show features several themed episodes including Christmas specials ("Verandah Santa" and "Christmas Swim"), an Easter-themed installment ("Easter"), and a Father's Day episode titled "Perfect." The third season includes a unique 28-minute special called "The Sign." During 2024, brief "Minisodes" lasting one to three minutes were broadcast. A feature film adaptation was announced in December 2024, planned for global release in 2027; creator Brumm has indicated this will mark his final writing contribution before retiring from the series.
Director Richard Jeffery earned an Australian Directors' Guild Award in 2021 for the episode "Sleepytime," which also received the 2022 Prix Jeunesse International Award for TV – Up to 6 Years Fiction (Children's). Composer Joff Bush garnered nominations at the APRA Screen Music Awards for his work on "Teasing" (2019) and "Flat Pack" (2020). The episode "Cricket" attracted commendations from sports journalists. Several episodes have been adapted into picture books, including "The Beach," which won both the Australian Book Industry Awards for Book of the Year and Children's Picture Book of the Year (Ages 0–6) in 2020. Additionally, selected episodes have been made available on DVD within Australia through distribution by BBC Studios.
Series overview
Series 1 (2018–2019)
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Series 2 (2020–2021)
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Series 3 (2021–2024)
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Minisodes (2024)
A collection of twenty brief episodes called "Minisodes," each ranging from one to three minutes, was created. These were released in three segments: the first seven premiered in Australia during June 2024 and internationally in July; the following seven were launched in October 2024; and the last six became available in December 2024.
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