Diann Lawrenson
Diann Lawrenson (born 4 April 1978), is a South African actress, producer and lecturer. She is best known for the roles in the films and television serial "Raaiselkind", "Semi-Soet" and "7de Laan". She is the Dean of AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy. Personal life. She was born 4 April 1978 in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. During her elementary school, she acted in the school stage and joined the musical choir as well. In 2001, Diaan graduated from African Film Drama and Art School (AFDA) in Johannesburg. She is married to fellow actor Jody Abrahams in 2014  at the St. Martin's-in-the-Veld Anglican Church in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The couple have one girl: Olivia-Rose and boy: Thomas James. Career. In 2002, she made a minor television role of "Merle" in the serial "Egoli: Place of Gold". Then she acted in the 2003 serial "Song vir Katryn" with another minor role. In the same year, she received a supportive role in the serial "Bacstage". In that, she got the opportunity to make her film debut with the film "Stander". In 2008, she joined the cast of SABC 2 soap opera, "7de Laan" and played the role  Paula van der Leque. Her role received huge popularity, where she continued to play the role for 8 years until retired in 2016. In both 2010 and 2013, she won the YOU Spectacular Award for Best Actress for this role. Then in 2009, she won the ATKV Feather award for the Best Actress. In 2012, she played the role "" in the film "Semi-Soet" directed by Joshua Rous. Since 2016, she started to work as a lecturer at AFDA in Cape Town and in 2019, she was appointed as the dean of the campus. Meanwhile, she is the co-owner  of the media production company, "Jester Productions". In 2015, she wrote and produced the short film "Hartloop". In the meantime, she acted in the critics acclaim film "Mooirivier" and played the role of "Sarah". In the same year, she appeared in the film "Sink" directed by AFDA alumnus Brett Michael Inne. The film won several awards at many film festivals and also received critics acclaim. In 2016, she acted in the film "Tablemanners" with the role "Megan". Then in 2017, she acted in the film "Raaiselkind" and then "Susters" in 2018, both became blockbusters. In 2021, she joined the kykNET  series "Spoorloos 3" and played the role "Joey Steyn".