Brie Larson Chopped Her Blonde Hair Into a Brunette Pixie Cut for ‘Elektra’ Stage Role

Until now, actor Brie Larson’s signature hairstyle has been what some would describe as the perfect lived-in blonde. However, the Marvel actress just shocked fans with a completely different look. On Monday, Larson posted a photo to her Instagram of her brand-new brown pixie cut—a far cry from her typical beachy lengths—and she looks extremely different. While ’tis the season to switch up your haircut and color, there’s a good explanation for Larson’s dramatic change: work.

The actor will be starring in an on-stage production of Elektra at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London’s West End beginning on January 24. “Elektra is here,” a smiling Larson wrote in her Instagram caption, showing off her new look. Celebrity hairstylists Cervando Maldonado and Jacob Schwartz are the hands behind Larson’s super-cropped pixie, and Maldonado told Vogue that, in addition to his client’s character, he was inspired by the likes of Winona Ryder and Mia Farrow for her new look.

Fans of Larson praised the actress’ hair change (and her commitment to her roles) in her Instagram comments. “You are SO PROFESSIONAL. Dive into the roles and characters. I’m such a fan,” one commenter wrote. “This makes me squeal with excitement. You’re going to crush,” fellow actress Sarah Paulson wrote.

You’ll have until mid-April to catch Larson and her retro pixie cut live on stage. In the meantime, she joins a growing list of celebrities (like Quinta Brunson and Jordan Dunn) who have recently took shorter hair for a spin, further proving that low-maintenance short hair is having a moment and we aren’t mad at it.