‘I’m the star of TV’s biggest show but no one knows what I look like’

Melanie Zanetti has one of the most recognisable voices in the world (Picture: Getty)

Since launching on our screens in 2018, Bluey has become a global phenomenon – amassing a loyal fan base of both children and parents alike due to its sharp wit and emotive themes.

The show – which centres around the lives of six-year-old puppy Bluey, sister Bingo and parents Chilli and Bandit living in Brisbane, Australia – has smashed viewing figures and Hollywood stars, including Natalie Portman, Billy Joel, Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling, are all big fans.

But when Metro catches up with Melanie Zanetti – who voices Chilli – she insists she’s still able to live a life of relative obscurity despite her starring role.

‘I have this magical anonymity because people don’t know what I look like,” she laughs over our Zoom call. ‘It may be one of the biggest shows but I can walk down the street past a family decked out in Bluey gear and they’re none the wiser. Maybe they’d clock if I opened my mouth to talk!’

While the 40-year old may not be recognised in public, she reveals she’s flooded with messages of support and gratitude on her social media.

‘Parents will often reach out to me to say the show helps them be a better parent or teaches them how to play with their child,’ she reveals. ‘I’ve even had people in their twenties say they suffered a bad childhood and the show has helped to re-parent them. Or people tell me it’s the show they watch to ease their anxiety. It’s wonderful to get that feedback. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of people telling me how much they love Bluey because it’s putting so much good out into the world.’

Melanie is the voice of Chilli in Bluey (Picture: PR IMAGE)

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Up Next

Previous Page Next Page

Fans of Bluey will agree that it’s hard to picture anyone else voicing the matriarchal role, yet Melanie reveals producers initially wanted a bigger name for the job.

‘They were discussing big celebs or comedians in Australia to do the job. They’ve never told me who they initially wanted for the part but the feedback I got after my audition was that they couldn’t find the same warmth in anyone else’s voice. They wanted someone who could strike that balance between comedy and tenderness. Bluey is very nuanced.’

Younger audiences may be drawn to the whimsicalness of sisters Bluey and Bingo, but it’s Chilli and Bandit’s down-to-earth nature and ability to let loose that has proven a big draw for parents. Melanie agrees, insisting she loves that they don’t present their parenting style as perfect.

‘They’re parents and they like to have fun but also need a break at times. I genuinely like Chilli. She’s a mum and she has a job but she also has her hobbies and there are times when she needs to walk out the door and have some alone time. I’d actually love to explore more of her backstory. See teenage Chilli and find out what she was like!’

While the canine family’s chemistry bursts off the screens, Bluey’s production team kept the identity of Bluey and Bingo’s voice actors a tight secret. In fact, Melanie admits she’s not even met the girls and only came face to face with Dave McCormack, who voices dad Bandit, when they appeared together as guests on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon in 2023.

“We don’t record together. I only met Dave after years of both appearing on the show. I just get into a recording booth and lay down my lines. I’ve recorded the show from LA, New York, Latvia. I’ve been all over! Dave and I got to meet when we were doing press in the US a couple of years ago and it struck me instantly that he’s exactly like Bandit. He has two daughters too, so he’s basically playing himself. But in a very talented way!”

Bluey’s longest ever episode is finally available to watch in the UK for free (Picture: BBC/PA Wire)

While Bluey has become a worldwide success and was even the most-watched show in the US in 2024, Melanie believes one of the biggest draws is that it stayed authentic to its Australian roots.

It’s even become a trend on TikTok for parents to show how their American or English children have developed an Aussie twang or a penchant for phrases associated with life Down Under.

“Joe was steadfast on not changing anything to suit any other market. It shows that you should just trust your audience and if the writing is good, they will engage. Also, it’s good for children to expand their world. Plus, Australia had limited media in the US. Before Bluey, it was pretty much Crocodile Dundee, so this feels more authentic!’

I’ve recorded the show from LA, New York, Latvia. I’ve been all over

QuoteQuote

The show is undeniably funny but Bluey isn’t afraid to get deep and has dealt with a number of sensitive issues. The Baby Race episode touched upon the pressures mothers feel to succeed in parenting, while Onesies dealt with infertility and Copycat tackled the subject of death.

“Every episode makes me laugh and cry and that’s just from reading the script!” Melanie admits. “It’s so profound and so simple at the same time. That’s difficult to do and every episode only gives you seven minutes to capture the essence of a moment or idea and explore it in a beautiful way. That’s the genius of the show’s writer Joe Brumm.”

With fans begging for more of Bluey, a new 28-minute episode entitled The Sign lands on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer on Good Friday. Bluey is also set to hit the big screen, with the first feature film predicted to premiere in cinemas in 2027.

And while soaring success could cause some actors to wish to spread their wings, Melanie assures Metro that she’ll voice the role of Chilli until the very last episode.

“I’m not going anywhere! I’ll play Chilli for as long as they will have me. I think the joy of Bluey is timeless. The charm and the comedy is centered in things like family and humanity, and that won’t age. You can expect Bluey to stick around for a very long time.’

Bluey’s 28-minute episode The Sign finally comes to CBeebies and BBC iPlayer on Good Friday.