It has been 35 years since viewers first welcomed one of Summer Bay’s most beloved foster mums into their living rooms, but fans of Home and Away might struggle to recognise her today.

The actress who embodied the heart and soul of the Ross household, guiding troubled teens with warmth and strength, looks worlds apart from her soap days — and her journey since then has been nothing short of remarkable.

We are, of course, talking about Debra Lawrance, who brought to life the much-loved matriarch Pippa Ross from 1990 until 1998. While Vanessa Downing was the first to portray Pippa,

it was Lawrance’s heartfelt performance that cemented the character as an icon of Summer Bay. Her gentle authority, unwavering compassion, and maternal wisdom made her one of the most memorable figures in the show’s long history.

A New Chapter in Summer Bay

Debra stepped into the role at a time when Home and Away was still establishing itself as Australia’s must-watch soap. Her interpretation of Pippa was defined by resilience. Whether helping foster children battle demons of their pasts or facing the grief of losing her on-screen husband, Pippa became a symbol of hope and stability.

In a delightful twist of fate, Lawrance’s personal and professional life collided on set. She met actor Dennis Coard, who was cast as Michael Ross — Pippa’s second husband. Their on-screen romance blossomed into real life, and the couple married in 1992. Together, they share two children and remain one of soapland’s most enduring love stories.

Beyond the Bay

Though Debra bid farewell to regular Home and Away appearances in 1998, she was never forgotten by fans. She returned for special episodes, with her last cameo in 2009, proving just how deeply intertwined her character remains with the show’s DNA. But Debra’s career did not stall once she left the sandy shores of Summer Bay.

The Melbourne-born actress trained at the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), where she studied alongside the likes of Mel Gibson. Her career before Home and Away was already flourishing, with roles in the ABC comedy The Fast Lane and a part in Evil Angels, opposite Hollywood legend Meryl Streep. Yet it was her post-soap ventures that truly showcased her range.

From 2013 to 2016, Debra dazzled audiences as Rose in the award-winning series Please Like Me. The role earned her an AACTA Award for Best Performance in a Television Comedy and the coveted Logie Award for Most Outstanding Supporting Actress. These accolades highlighted her ability to balance humour, poignancy, and raw emotional depth.

In 2018, she even ventured across soap rival lines, guest-starring in Neighbours as Liz Conway, the estranged sister of Susan Kennedy. For fans, it was a nostalgic thrill to see Lawrance back in primetime drama, holding her own opposite long-standing soap royalty.

Reinventing Herself

The past decade has seen Debra take bold and surprising turns in her career. She braved the heat of Hell’s Kitchen Australia in 2017, impressing celebrity chef Marco Pierre White and eventually winning the series. Her victory wasn’t just a personal triumph — she also raised $50,000 for Ovarian Cancer Australia, proving her heart is as formidable as her talent.

In 2023, she swapped the kitchen for the jungle as a contestant on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! There, audiences were reminded once again of her humour, grit, and grounded personality. She may have been a soap legend to many, but to her campmates, she was the nurturing and resilient woman fans had adored for decades.

Perhaps her most magical reinvention came on stage. From 2019 through 2024, Debra embodied Professor Minerva McGonagall in the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Both in Melbourne and later in the UK, she captivated audiences with her commanding presence, lending gravitas to a character beloved by millions.

Life Away From the Spotlight

Though acting remains her passion, Debra has also poured her energy into teaching. She runs her own business focused on vocal communication skills, mentoring professionals in mastering their voice, presence, and confidence. It’s a natural extension of her training and decades of experience, showing that her influence now reaches far beyond television and theatre.

On Instagram, Debra regularly shares glimpses of her life, including sweet moments with her husband Dennis. The couple’s enduring love is a rare gem in the entertainment industry, built on mutual respect, humour, and the unique experience of once playing husband and wife both on-screen and off.

From Summer Bay to Soapland Romance

Debra and Dennis’s story is part of a wider soap tradition: stars falling in love off-screen while playing out dramatic romances on-screen. Fans of the genre will know of other real-life love stories born in studios and on sets. From Emmerdale’s Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley, who have been together since drama school, to Coronation Street’s Sally Carman and Joe Duttine, whose chemistry blossomed years after their characters crossed paths — soapland is filled with enduring love stories.

Debra and Dennis’s marriage stands proudly among them, not just because of its longevity but because of the way it mirrors the warmth of the characters they once portrayed. For many fans, it’s heartening to see that not all soap romances end in heartbreak — sometimes, the happily-ever-after continues long after the cameras stop rolling.

The Woman Fans Barely Recognise

Now, at 66, Debra Lawrance looks strikingly different from the fresh-faced foster mum who once ruled Summer Bay. With her silver hair and chic sense of style, she carries herself with elegance and confidence. Though some fans may not instantly recognise her, her charisma remains unchanged. The transformation is a reminder of how actors, like their characters, grow and evolve — yet the essence of what made them beloved never fades.

Looking back, Debra Lawrance’s career reflects resilience, versatility, and passion. She has transitioned seamlessly from soap stalwart to award-winning actress, from reality TV survivor to stage powerhouse. She continues to inspire not just because of her acting talent, but because she embraces reinvention while staying true to herself.

A Legacy That Lasts

As Home and Away celebrates more than three decades on air, Debra Lawrance’s contribution to its legacy is undeniable. Pippa Ross remains one of the most iconic characters in the soap’s history, a figure of love, guidance, and strength. Even 35 years later, fans still speak of her with warmth and nostalgia.

Would you have recognised her today? Perhaps not immediately. But one glance at her smile, her presence, and her enduring grace, and there is no mistaking the woman who gave Summer Bay its heart. Debra Lawrance may look different, but her spirit — like Pippa’s — remains unforgettable.