Diaan Lawrenson

Diaan Lawrenson

Diaan Lawrenson is a South African actress, producer, and educator, renowned for her multifaceted contributions to the entertainment industry. Born on April 6, 1978, in Vanderbijlpark, she began her career in the arts during her school years and pursued formal training at AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy, graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Motion Picture Medium, specializing in Live Performance, Screenwriting, and Producing. In 2024, she furthered her academic credentials by earning a Master of Fine Arts degree from AFDA Cape Town. Lawrenson gained national recognition for her portrayal of Paula van der Lecq on the long-running Afrikaans soap opera 7de Laan, a role she held from 2008 to 2016. Her performance earned her multiple accolades, including the YOU Spectacular Award for Best Actress in 2010 and 2013, and the ATKV Feather Award for Best Actress in 2009. Beyond television, Lawrenson has showcased her versatility in film and theatre. She starred in critically acclaimed films such as Raaiselkind, Sink, and Susters, and has been involved in various theatre productions. Her production company, Jester Productions, co-founded with her husband, actor Jody Abrahams, has been responsible for numerous award-winning projects across theatre, film, and television. In 2025, Lawrenson transitioned into academia, taking on the role of CEO at AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy. Prior to this, she served as the Dean of AFDA Cape Town for five and a half years, where she was deeply involved in shaping the institution's direction and fostering the next generation of creative professionals .

Person History