Coinciding with the announcement of the upcoming movie, Bluey creator Joe Brumm also shared a status update in a letter to the show's massive fanbase. Despite the global success, Brumm announced he would be stepping down after creating one of the most successful animated series currently streaming.
Unless you've lived in a cave since 2018, you know who Bluey is. Along with being one of the most iconic modern animated characters, she's also received her own Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon and even a stage adaptation. So why is her creator stepping away?
Brumm Says Bye to Bluey
On Bluey's official blog, Brumm shared a letter to the fanbase explaining both his involvement with the film, but also the "trificult" decision to step down from the TV series, stating that the episode, "The Sign," was essentially his parting gift to fans. Sharing that "The Sign will mark my TV finale for Bluey and I wrote it as such."
Brumm goes into extensive detail in his letter, but one portion truly stands out to this writer, and it should undoubtedly nab the attention of all die-hard Bluey buffs.
In the letter, Brumm writes
"Bluey has completely changed my life. It’s been an immensely satisfying thing to be a part of, more than I can really put into words. To walk away from it while it’s at such a height will seem crazy to some but, for now, I am finding it difficult to reach back genuinely into that four to six-year-old world and write authentically."
"My Bluey crew and all the creative people in my life completely understand my decision. Working with that wonderful group of people has been the absolute highlight of my animation career and I hope Bluey on their CV is a badge of pride for them."
If you were one of the countless fans who got a catch in their throat upon reading this news, you are not alone. A creator's departure from their beloved series always affects the product in the long run. Just look at what happened with Spongebob or The Muppets.
That all being said, there is still some hope for the future, and Brumm is certainly not going away, at least for right now. With the recent announcement of Bluey: The Movie, the creator states that his primary focus will be on the film as he closes the letter.
Brumm writes,
"To be clear, this is not an announcement about the end of the show, but it is an acknowledgment that my focus will be on the film."
"Thank you for taking this show into your homes, the whole experience has been an impossible experience to describe."
While many of the fans are dealing with some heavy hearts, it's a comfort to know that this won't be the end of Bluey, as some might mistakenly believe. As crucial as Joe Brumm was in bringing the beloved Heeler family to life, he was far from the only contributor.
The Bluey team at Ludo Studio consists of a wide variety of artists, animators, and storytellers that have been bringing us bigger and better episodes for years. Brumm isn't going away so much as he is passing the torch.
Bluey is a beloved figure in many lives, and it's a relief to know that the Heelers and the show will still be with us even though Brumm will be taking a backseat. That said, it's easy to be overwhelmed with the anxiety for the show's future.
In this writer's opinion, it might be time to revisit the lesson we all learned during "The Sign." Changes are a part of life. In the words of the wise Calypso, "Everything will work out the way it's supposed to."
All Bluey episodes can be watched and enjoyed on Disney+.