‘I HAVE AN ADDICTION TO KOREAN DRAMA!’

The Steel Magnolias star talks heading out on the road, her creature comforts and the co-stars she's still close to

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Debra Lawrance is back on stage in the new Australian theatre production of beloved film Steel Magnolias alongside Lisa McCune, Belinda Giblin and Mandy Bishop. Debra, 69, gave Woman's Day a buzz to chat about playing witty widow Clairee Belcher - and to look back on her five decades in showbiz.

Which do you find more of a challenge - live theatre or TV/film acting?

From a physical point of view, live theatre is very challenging because you've got to be very fit to do it. You're often doing eight shows a week and a season can last from four weeks to over a year, which I did with Harry Potter [on London's West End in 2024-2025] so you have to eat really healthy foods and stay fit for that. Theatre is wonderful but probably also more challenging because with TV you can rest between scenes and you can do it again if you need to.

You played the part of M'Lynn in the Australian tour of Steel Magnolias in 2009, is it strange to be playing a different character this time around?

It is strange, but also I know the play really well because of that. I'm now old enough to play Clairee and she's such a delicious character.

Have you worked with any of the cast before?