Diaan Lawrenson

Diaan Lawrenson (born 4 April 1978) is a South African actress, producer and lecturer. She is best known for her roles in the films and series Raaiselkind, Semi-Soet and 7de Laan. She is the former Dean and current CEO of AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy in Cape Town, South Africa.

Personal life She was born 6 April 1978 in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. During her elementary school, she acted in the school stage and joined the musical choir as well. In 2002, Diaan graduated from AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Motion Picture Medium, specialising in Live Performance, Screenwriting and Producing. In 2024 she graduated with a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Motion Picture Medium from AFDA Cape Town.

She married fellow actor Jody Abrahams in 2014 at St. Martin's-in-the-Veld Anglican Church in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The couple have one daughter, Olivia-Rose and a son, Thomas James.

Career In 2002, she landed the minor television role of "Merle" in the series Egoli: Place of Gold. In 2003 she acted in another minor role in the series Song vir Katryn. In the same year, she made her feature film debut, portraying the supportive character of "Bank 3 Female Bank Teller" in the action/crime film Stander. Her role received huge popularity, and she continued to portray the character for 8 years, until stepping down in 2016. In both 2010 and 2013, she won the YOU Spectacular Award for Best Actress for this role. In 2009, she won the ATKV Feather award for Best Actress. In 2012, she starred in the film Semi-Soet directed by Joshua Rous. In 2016, she started lecturing at AFDA in Cape Town and in 2019, she was appointed as the Dean of the campus. She is also the co-owner of the media production company, "Jester Productions". 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. Then in 2017, she acted in the film Raaiselkind and then Susters in 2018, both became blockbusters. In 2021, she joined the kykNET anthology series Spoorloos for its third installment Steynhof as Joey Steyn.

In 2025, Diaan stepped down from her role as Dean of the AFDA Cape Town campus to pursue the role of national CEO of AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy.

Filmography

Year Film Role Genre Ref. 2002 Egoli: Place of Gold Merle TV series 2003 Song vir Katryn stripper TV series 2003 Bacstage Mienkie TV series 2003 Stander Bank 3 Female Bank Teller Film 2008-2016 7de Laan Paula van der Lecque TV series 2012 Semi-Soet Chadrie Snyman Film 2013 Bullets Oor Bishop Lavis Anel Short film 2014 Die Byl Saskia du Toit TV series 2015 Mooirivier Sarah Film 2015 Hartloop Producer Short film 2015 Sink Chantelle Film 2016 Jou Romeo Juffrou Goosen Film 2016 Hilde se Hartsklanke Producer TV series 2016 Tablemanners Megan Film 2017 Raaiselkind Ingrid Dorfling Film 2017 Die Skatties Producer TV series 2017 Die Boekklub Cecille TV series 2018 Susters Jo Film 2018 Table Manners Megan Film 2020 Op en Af Producer TV mini series 2021 Spoorloos: Steynhof Joey Steyn Main role

Theatre works Kysbriewe (2014) Bullets over Bishop Lavis (2012 – 2014) Roemers en Bloemers (2012 – 2013) Vrydag is Skeidag (2010 – 2011) Under the fig tree (2009) Dirk & Lindie (2008) Die Vals Snor (2007) Pleiboyz (2006) So Waar As Vet (2005) Dubbel en Dwars (2004) Four Play (2003 – 2004) Six Inches (2002 – 2003) Pendoring Eiendoms Beperk (2002) Closer (2001) Go It Maid! (2001) Magspel (2000) Dangerous Liaisons (2000) Theresa Se Droom (2000) Who Digs Who (2000) Rudely Stamped (1999 – 2000) Requiem (1998)

Awards AFDA Nomination: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Writer SAFTA nomination: Best Actress Crystal nomination: Best Actress, Best Newcomer YOU Spectacular Award: Best Actress (2013) YOU Spectacular Award: Best Actress (2010) ATKV Feather: Best Actress (2009) AFDA Award: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Writer (1998 - 2001)