Young Sheldon’s Raegan Revord Had to Follow an Infamous Big Bang Theory Rule

Missy’s Hair: A Fixed Look for Seven Seasons

Raegan Revord, who played Missy Cooper on Young Sheldon, maintained nearly the same hairstyle for seven seasons. While this might not seem like a big deal, it’s actually part of a strict rule imposed by Big Bang Theory creator Chuck Lorre. Throughout the series, Revord’s character rarely changed her look—except for a ponytail here and there or one brief moment of blonde hair.

Behind the scenes, Revord herself reportedly requested a haircut multiple times but was denied for four years straight. It wasn’t until after she endured a traumatic car accident in real life that she finally got her wish.

Raegan Revord’s Long-Awaited Haircut

In 2023, Revord recalled the moment she was finally allowed to make a change:

“They called me over and they were like, ‘Hey, we have some news for you.’ And then my hair person walks in and I’m like, ‘No, no, no, no, no. This is not happening!’ And they were like, ‘You get to cut your hair.’ And now I have short hair and I’m so happy. I love it so much. I got Van Leeuwen and I got a haircut. What more can you ask for?”

Missy’s new shorter hairstyle debuted in Young Sheldon Season 6, Episode 18 (Little Green Men and a Fella’s Marriage Proposal). However, it was a subtle change compared to the drastic haircut Kaley Cuoco’s Penny received in The Big Bang Theory Season 8—a decision that caused a stir among fans and showrunners alike.

The Unwritten Rule of Chuck Lorre’s Sitcom Universe

The hesitation to let Missy change her look wasn’t random; it was a rule imposed by Chuck Lorre himself. Lorre, the mastermind behind The Big Bang Theory, was known for keeping his characters’ appearances consistent to maintain audience familiarity. When Cuoco’s Penny debuted a pixie cut in Season 8, it created unexpected backlash.

Lorre explained in an interview for Jessica Radloff’s book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series:

“The audience had become infatuated with the character, and not just the character’s behavior and flaws and strengths, but in how the character looked… They became iconic, and to disregard that audience attachment was a mistake.”

He even noted that if Johnny Galecki had suddenly shaved his head, it would have been equally disruptive. While Lorre’s vision worked for The Big Bang Theory, it’s debatable whether this approach made sense for Young Sheldon, especially given Missy’s rebellious nature.

Why Young Sheldon Should’ve Allowed More Hair Changes

1. Character Evolution Should Be Reflected Visually

Many sitcoms embrace evolving character styles to reflect their growth. For example:

• In Scrubs, Elliot’s changing hairstyles mirrored her evolving confidence.
• How I Met Your Mother used Lily’s and Robin’s hairstyles to mark different phases in their lives.
• Shows like Mad Men and Succession utilized hair changes to tell deeper stories about their characters.

2. Missy’s Personality Deserved More Expression

Missy is a strong-willed, rebellious teen. In reality, such a character would likely experiment with different styles as a form of self-expression. By sticking to a rigid look, Young Sheldon missed an opportunity to add authenticity to her arc.

3. The Fan Experience Wouldn’t Have Been Disrupted

While consistency matters for branding, Young Sheldon operates in a more flexible space than The Big Bang Theory. A natural, gradual style change wouldn’t have harmed the show’s continuity. If anything, it would have made Missy’s character even more relatable.

Final Thoughts: A Rule That Should Have Been Bent

Raegan Revord’s years-long wait for a simple haircut highlights an unusual restriction in the Big Bang Theory universe. While Chuck Lorre’s insistence on visual consistency made sense for the original show, Young Sheldon—especially with a character like Missy—could have benefitted from more flexibility.

As sitcoms continue evolving, perhaps future spin-offs will take a more adaptive approach to character design. Until then, Revord’s long-awaited haircut will remain one of the few moments where this infamous rule was broken.

FAQs

1. Why did Raegan Revord have to keep the same hairstyle for so long?

Chuck Lorre enforced a strict rule to maintain character consistency across the Big Bang Theory universe. This prevented major style changes for any core character, including Missy.

2. When did Raegan Revord finally get to cut her hair?

Revord was finally allowed to change her hairstyle in Young Sheldon Season 6, Episode 18, after four years of requesting a cut.

3. Did other Big Bang Theory actors have similar restrictions?

Yes. Kaley Cuoco’s drastic haircut in The Big Bang Theory Season 8 was one of the few exceptions, and it reportedly caused minor tension behind the scenes.

4. Do other sitcoms follow similar hair rules?

Most sitcoms allow characters’ appearances to evolve naturally, often using hair changes as part of visual storytelling. Examples include Scrubs, How I Met Your Mother, and Mad Men.

5. Will future Big Bang Theory spin-offs have the same rule?

It’s uncertain, but with evolving trends in television, future series may take a more flexible approach to character styles.