By Cecilia Sarantopoulos

The vibrant world of Bluey, the beloved Australian animated series that topped charts as the most-streamed children’s series in America in 2023, is set to captivate fans once again with a special episode premiering on Disney+ on Sunday, April 14.

“The Sign,” an extended episode brimming with heartwarming moments and poignant narratives, offers a deeper glimpse into the lives of the Heeler family and their contemplation of the meaning of “home”—is it a physical place or a feeling?

D23 had the exclusive opportunity to delve behind the scenes of Bluey with Melanie Zanetti and Dave McCormack, the talented voices behind Bluey and Bingo’s parents, Chilli and Bandit, respectively.

“When I rewatched ‘The Sign,’ there is some heavy stuff going on down there,” says McCormack. The Heeler family packing up their belongings and putting them into boxes are some of the episode’s moments that McCormack teases might bring fans to tears. “It’s a long episode with so many chapters in it,” he adds. Not only is the Heeler house up for sale, but there is also a wedding happening in the same episode! Talk about plot twists.

Through the ups and downs of “The Sign,” Chilli and Bandit remain great parents, showcasing their unwavering love and support amidst the tumultuous events unfolding around them. “Chilli is so smart, warm, and funny—I think her and Bandit’s realness and vulnerability throughout the series is what makes them so relatable to parents watching Bluey,” says Zanetti.

Fans often praise Chilli and Bandit for their dedication to spending quality time with their children, actively participating in games, and enjoying themselves in the process. “There’s equity in the amount of domestic and emotional labor they’re doing, and I think that’s a really wonderful portrayal for families to see,” says Zanetti. “Deep down, there’s profound respect for each other,” adds McCormack. “They always share these fun jabs here and there, but deep down, respect is what makes their relationship so admirable—and we definitely explore more of it in ‘The Sign.’”

The episode does not shy away from showing how the Heelers also struggle with confusion and doubt—it’s hard to always Keepy Uppy. “I think that life has so many ups and downs, and our job is to stay present, do our best in the moment, and not hold too tightly because things can change in an instant,” says Zanetti. “‘The Sign’ reminds Bluey fans that we’re all trying to do our best and make the best decisions with the information we have at the time but also how to be open to what the universe can bring out,” she adds.

“The Sign” emphasizes the importance of community in navigating challenging moments, a theme often found in beloved Disney movies and shows. “There’s a moment in Toy Story 3 where the toys are about to go into the incinerator, they all make peace with what’s about to happen, and they hold hands,” Zanetti says. “That moment really reminds me of some of the events transpiring in ‘The Sign’ that require an element of surrender from the Heelers.”

Zanetti and McCormack also reveal that they recorded the episode in two halves, putting both in the position that fans will be in when watching the new episode—at the edge of their seats! “When I was recording the first half of the episode,” McCormack says, “I was like ‘Woah, this is big! What’s going on?’”