Fans were skeptical when it was announced that a Young Sheldon spin-off was in the works, focused on the relationship between the eldest Cooper son Georgie (Montana Jordan) and his new wife Mandy (Emily Osment) as they raised their daughter Cece. Called Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, the only other characters initially confirmed to reprise their roles included Will Sasso and Rachel Bay Jones as Mandy’s parents, Jim and Audrey. Fans were concerned that without the dynamic among the members of the Cooper family, notably the three siblings, the show would feel like it was missing something.
However, that issue has been resolved with Executive Producer Steve Molaro confirming that Zoe Perry and Annie Potts will appear as Mary and Connie and, most excitingly, that Reagan Revord will return to reprise her role as Missy. With the sassy and sarcastic fan-favorite character as part of the cast, potentially in more than just a single cameo appearance, fans have much more confidence in the series being a success.
Where Did Missy Leave Off in Young Sheldon?
Having already gone through puberty and all the growing pains that come with it, by the end of Young Sheldon, Missy began to rebel. It didn’t help that her family was often too busy to focus on her, a common sitcom trope (not to mention real-life stereotype) for a middle child. Sheldon (Iain Armitage) got all their mother’s attention, demanding more than a traditional child might because of his unique needs. Mary often went out of her way to support his endeavors, which left little time for Missy. Meanwhile, Georgie was the troublemaking son Mary and George always had to keep an eye on. After he got an older woman pregnant when he was just 17, a lot of attention also fell on him and the new granddaughter. Once again, Missy was pushed to the side. This left Missy lost and feeling unheard and unappreciated.
Several storylines drove that home, like when Missy’s parents forgot to pick her up from school and when no one told her that Mandy had gone into labor. Unsurprisingly, Missy grew angry and resentful, especially during those formative years. It took a terrifying tornado to help turn Missy’s attitude around. Looking death in the face while stuck on the road with her father, she tearfully apologized to George for her behavior and actions and vowed to do better.
When Mary went off to Germany with Sheldon, Missy took on a motherly role. She ensured the chores were properly allocated and completed by every member of the family. She cooked meals and even grilled others about their whereabouts or failing to contribute, just as Mary would have. It was a refreshing level of maturity for the young girl.
The Georgie and Mandy Young Sheldon spin-off, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, will need one other character to return for it to work.
But when George (Lance Barber) sadly passed away, Missy reverted. She was arguably the closest to George of the siblings, with the pair sharing a sweet father-daughter bond. Losing George had a tremendous effect on Missy, more so than it did on Sheldon and Georgie. But everyone was so busy with other obligations and dealing with their own grief that no one was there for her.
Missy was last seen lashing out, unable to properly process her grief. With her annoying twin brother Sheldon gone off to university and Georgie moving out with his wife, Missy was in a tough spot. She was alone with her mother, who was having a tough time dealing with the loss of her husband. At the end of Young Sheldon, even Connie tries desperately to remind her daughter that she needs to be there for her children. Thus, it would make sense that both Connie and Georgie would have a big part in Missy’s life during this pivotal time.
Fans know from The Big Bang Theory that Missy went on to suffer failed marriages and became a single parent. She was also working entry-level jobs to make ends meet. While she was still her same beautiful and sarcastic self as an adult, played by Courtney Henggeler, fans are curious to see Missy’s journey from a teenager to that point. Her role in this show, however big or small, will provide insight into how Georgie helped raise her through those years of transition from teenager to young adult
How Big Will Missy’s Role Be in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage?
There’s no confirmation yet on how big a role Revord will have in the spin-off series. It was initially confirmed that she would appear in the second episode. But new reports from TV Insider claim that she’ll be in additional episodes, too. Revord herself also posted a clip on Instagram posing beside a reserved parking spot from the show labeled “Missy,” further solidifying that she has already been on set.
The report suggests that the storyline will include Georgie taking on a bigger role in helping his little sister follow a positive path. With their mother still grieving the loss of her husband, George, and her youngest son Sheldon away at college, she will likely not be there for Missy as much as she should be.
Georgie already showed in the Young Sheldon series finale that he was stepping up to the plate to take on a more mature role within the family. Now, as a father who needs to support his family and the man of the house with his father gone, it makes sense that Georgie would also take on the responsibility of helping to raise his little sister.
The upcoming Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage will be the first Big Bang-verse show without Sheldon Cooper. How exactly will this work?
The older Georgie mentioned in a cameo appearance on The Big Bang Theory, played by Jerry O’Connell, that he resented Sheldon for leaving him to care for their family. It’s clear a lot of responsibility was on his shoulders, and with Missy appearing in the new spin-off, this will likely be presented true to canon. Given how arguably under-utilized Missy was in the final seasons of Young Sheldon, yet how much comic relief she provided, fans hope the character has an at least recurring role in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. The relationship between Georgie and Mandy was always a tertiary one on Young Sheldon since Osment joined the cast as a recurring character in Season 5 (main in six and seven).
Even when she became a main cast member, the most interesting moments with Mandy involved her interactions with characters like Missy and Connie. Thus, it would be interesting to see how she helps Missy through tough times and takes on the big sister role, too. Regarding Missy, since Georgie was the only father figure she had during these years, fans hope to see her big brother play a more significant role in her life and her in his. It’s what George would have wanted. Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage will air on CBS starting October 17, 2024. Stream Young Sheldon on Max and Netflix.
