Fans of beloved Australian cartoon Bluey have gone wild after creators released a secret episode amid fears the series could come to an end.
The new episode, aptly titled The Surprise, was stealthily aired on ABC on Sunday morning without warning.
To maintain secrecy, the national broadcaster even went so far as to hide the episode from television programming, telling viewers they could expect a repeat.
Shortly after, Bluey’s official page sent fans into a tailspin by posting several eye emojis on social media with a link to the show’s website.
“YOU’RE TELLING ME HE CRIED AFTER THE SIGN AND YOU’RE RELEASING ANOTHER EPISODE?!!” one fan wrote in X.
Fans of beloved Australian cartoon Bluey have gone wild after creators released a secret episode amid fears the series could come to an end.
“What’s this on Taylor Swift?” said another, referring to the pop sensation’s surprise double album release on Friday.
“Guys, I gasped so hard my wife thought someone died,” wrote another.
In the new episode, Bluey and her sister Bingo make their father, Bandit, play two different games at the same time.
It came just a week after the release of a special 28-minute episode, titled The Sign.
It saw the Heeler family put their house up for sale, causing panic among parents and fans that the series could end.
The new episode, aptly titled The Surprise, was stealthily aired on ABC on Sunday morning without warning.
At the end of the episode (spoiler alert), the family didn’t go through with their planned move.
Bluey producer Sam Moor emphasized that the show would return and planted a little Easter egg for Sunday’s episode.
“It’s the question on everyone’s lips. No, it’s not the end for Bluey. I’m sure we have many more surprises in store for you,” she told BBC Radio 4 last week.
Bluey is broadcast in more than 60 countries. The Emmy Award-winning cartoon is the second most popular streaming show in the United States.
To maintain secrecy, the national broadcaster even went so far as to hide the episode from television programming, telling viewers they could expect a repeat.
The show’s touching finale turned out to be a big hit on ABC Kids last week.
The 28-minute special episode of the animated children’s show reached 2.28 million viewers in Australia.
Meanwhile, 787,000 people watched the show on ABC iview, making it the most-watched entertainment program of the night.
The episode, titled The Sign, marked the end of the show’s third season before an extended break for the Heeler family.
Featured guest stars in the tear-filled finale included Joel Edgerton, Rove McManus and Deborah Mailman.