A familiar face from Home and Away has brought in fresh chatter among longtime viewers, especially after fans revisited some of the show’s earliest years. With memories of Summer Bay flooding back, many are now revisiting one of the soap’s most iconic foster mums and discovering that her recent look has taken many by surprise.
Looking Back at a Beloved Home and Away Era
Debra Lawrance became a crucial part of Home and Away history when she stepped in as Pippa Ross in 1990, following the departure of original actress Vanessa Downing that same year. She continued to portray the warm-hearted foster mum until 1998, and even after her exit, she returned for several appearances, the latest in 2009. Her time on the soap also shaped her personal life. She met actor Dennis Coard when he joined the cast as Michael Ross, Pippa’s second husband.
Their on-screen partnership soon evolved into real life, and the two married in 1992. They later welcomed two children together and continued to work on various projects while raising their family. Before her Summer Bay fame, Debra had already begun building an impressive foundation in the industry. Born in Melbourne, she studied at NIDA, earning her Bachelor of Dramatic Art alongside fellow students such as Mel Gibson. Her early breakthrough came with a lead role in the ABC comedy The Fast Lane.
The Transformation Fans Can’t Stop Talking About
Now, decades after her debut, viewers have been stunned to see how dramatically Debra’s appearance has changed. Her recent snapshots show her looking completely different from the Pippa Ross audiences remember, leaving many fans admitting they likely wouldn’t have recognised her at first glance. Her career since leaving the soap has taken her in many directions. She appeared in the film Evil Angels with Meryl Streep, continuing the momentum she built early on.
She also earned major acclaim for playing Rose in Please Like Me, a role that won her an AACTA Award for Best Performance in a Television Comedy and a Logie Award for Most Outstanding Supporting Actress. Debra also briefly stepped into Ramsay Street in 2018 when she joined Neighbours as Liz Conway, the sister of Susan Kennedy. Her stint on the rival soap added another memorable chapter to her career.
She also impressed on stage, taking on the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the theatrical production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Debra performed the character in both Melbourne and the UK between 2019 and 2024. Away from the spotlight, she has dedicated time to her own business, teaching vocal communication skills and helping others through performance techniques. While her modern-day look has surprised fans, her impact across generations of Home and Away viewers remains firmly intact. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more updates on all things Home and Away.