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Season 1 – Bella and the Bulldogs

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Bella and the Bulldogs Jan 2015 Kids & Family Comedy Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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Middle-school student Bella Dawson doesn't buy into the traditional roles of boys playing football and girls being cheerleaders. The head cheerleader dreams of playing football. She achieves that goal when she gets a chance to try out for her school's pigskin squad. She excels, not only making the team but becoming the star quarterback. She takes the job from Troy, who is bitter about losing the position. Her teammates do what they can to try to get her to give up, but she perseveres. While the star athlete shows her toughness on the field, Bella doesn't want to lose her two best friends from the cheer squad, overly enthusiastic Pepper and no-nonsense Sophie, who advises Bella on everything about boys.
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Bella and the Bulldogs — Season 1

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BadNews R @TheMovieSearch 12/13/2024 Bella and the Bulldogs is a Nickelodeon comedy series that follows Bella Dawson, a spirited cheerleader who unexpectedly becomes the quarterback of her middle school football team. While the premise aims to be empowering and fun, the execution falls short for most viewers outside its young target demographic. Brec Bassinger, who portrays Bella, struggles to bring nuance to the role. Her performance often feels forced and overly theatrical, lacking the emotional depth necessary to anchor the show. This isn’t an isolated critique, as a similar issue appeared in her later performance as the lead in Stargirl. Despite the show’s intentions to break stereotypes, Bella never quite comes across as a believable athlete or leader. Coy Stewart plays Troy, Bella’s best friend and teammate, but unfortunately doesn’t make much of an impression. His role leans too heavily into being the comic relief, which undermines any chance at genuine character development. On the brighter side, Jackie Radinsky delivers the most entertaining performance as Sawyer, the quirky cowboy teammate. His exaggerated persona somehow feels more authentic and endearing than the rest of the ensemble. The show’s attempt at humor is marred by cheesy dialogue, unrealistic scenarios, and cartoonish portrayals of football and school life. Episodes are often wrapped up with overly simplistic resolutions, making the storylines predictable and unconvincing. The character of Newt, in particular, serves as a low point in the cast—more distracting than delightful—and the overall dynamic lacks any real chemistry. While it may entertain younger children, Bella and the Bulldogs doesn’t hold much appeal for viewers over 12 or 13. The writing and directing feel shallow, with missed opportunities to create something truly fun and inspiring. Nickelodeon has produced stronger series in the past, and this one unfortunately doesn’t live up to that legacy. ⸻ Final Verdict: While Bella and the Bulldogs may work for younger audiences seeking light, slapstick fun, it offers little for older teens or adults. Weak writing, uneven performances, and exaggerated characterizations make this a forgettable entry in Nickelodeon’s catalog. See more Read all reviews
Bella and the Bulldogs — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Brec Bassinger

Bella Dawson

Coy Stewart

Troy

Jackie Radinsky

Sawyer

Buddy Handleson

Newt

Haley Tju

Pepper

Lilimar

Sophie

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 17, 2015 Newbie QB Head cheerleader Bella Dawson earns a chance to try out for quarterback of her middleschool football team; Troy and the rest of the football team try to make Bella give up. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 17, 2015 Newbie QB Head cheerleader Bella Dawson earns a chance to try out for quarterback of her middleschool football team; Troy and the rest of the football team try to make Bella give up. Details Episode 3 Aired Jan 24, 2015 That's Some Gossip, Girl The boys grow suspicious of Bella when they believe that she is leaking team secrets to reporter Ace McFumbles. Details Episode 4 Aired Jan 31, 2015 Pretty in Stink Bella is expected to follow a Bulldog superstition to not shower just as she hears that her crush likes her. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 7, 2015 Tex Fest Bella volunteers to act in Pepper's video project for a town festival; Troy and Newt join the choir, where they experience a role reversal. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 14, 2015 Dancing in the End Zone Bella suggests that Troy take ballet in order to improve his game; Bella goes to great lengths to protect Troy's secret when the team begins to wonder where he has been spending his time. Details Episode 7 Aired Feb 28, 2015 That's MY Tri-Five! Bella encourages Sophie and Pepper to recruit a new girl to fill the vacant spot that she left on the cheerleading squad. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 7, 2015 A Good Bye Week Bella and Kyle go on their first date; Bella seeks help from the boys when a twist of fate threatens her relationship with Kyle. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 14, 2015 Bromantically Challenged Bella must navigate a difficult situation when Troy and Sawyer fight over who will be her top receiver; Sophie and Pepper have trouble with their bake sale in Bella's absence. Details Episode 10 Aired Mar 21, 2015 Tornado Afraido When the gang is locked down at school during a tornado warning, Bella gets everyone to help throw Pepper a party using supplies at school. Details Episode 11 Aired Mar 23, 2015 Incomplete Pass Bella seeks Sophie's help to prepare for an oral exam in Spanish class; the boys find a mysterious list that fell out of Pepper's locker. Details Episode 12 Aired Apr 4, 2015 Backseat Quarterback Bella is injured during practice and helps Troy prepare as the quarterback for an upcoming game, but when Troy scores the winning touchdown Bella worries about being replaced. Details Episode 13 Aired Apr 11, 2015 Traitor Dater When a boy from a rival team asks Bella to the homecoming dance, the team worries that she may not be able to keep her head in the game. Details Episode 14 Aired Apr 18, 2015 Bulldog Buddies Troy is hurt when his younger brother chooses Bella as his football mentor; Pepper's parents forbid her from having a boyfriend. Details Episode 15 Aired Apr 25, 2015 Player Hater When Troy begins dating Charlotte, Bella decides to put her differences with Charlotte aside; Bella struggles to break difficult news to her friend. Details Episode 16 Aired May 2, 2015 Root for Newt After Coach shuts down Newt's request to be a starter, Bella tries to help him find his place on the team; Troy becomes interested in an older girl and tries to ask her on a date using Sophie's advice. Details Episode 17 Aired May 9, 2015 Bulldog Blues Bella makes a guarantee that the Bulldogs will get into the playoffs, but her confidence is shaken when the team loses unexpectedly. Details Episode 18 Aired May 16, 2015 Kicking and Scheming When Bella decides to recruit the Bulldogs' new kicker from the soccer team, she quickly learns that the rivalries between the football and soccer teams make things difficult. Details Episode 19 Aired May 23, 2015 Third Degree Ba-Burn Bella's jokes about her teammates at the Bulldog's annual roast cause a rift between Sawyer and Pepper; Newt tries to come between Sophie and a new boy. Details Episode 20 Aired May 30, 2015 No Girls Allowed When an outdated rule about girls not being able to play football is made public, Bella is prevented from playing right before the Bulldogs' first playoff game. Details
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Bella and the Bulldogs — Season 1

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Season Info

Executive Producer
Jeff Bushell
Network
Nickelodeon
Rating
TV-G
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Sports
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 17, 2015
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