Diana McLean is an Australian stage and television actress and voice over artist, best known for her role as Sister Vivienne Jeffries in TV soap opera The Young Doctors in 618 episodes from 1978 and 1981.
Acting career
Television and film
McLean made guest appearances in the comedy series Good Morning Mr Doubleday (1969),[1] the classic Australian police series Division 4 (1970)[2] and Boney (1973).[3] She also appeared in a recurring role as Dorothy Dunlop in the Australian series Number 96.[4]
In 1975, she appeared as Helen McGuire in nine episodes of the miniseries Ben Hall.[5] She then starred in a regular role as Sister Vivienne Jeffries (from 1978 until 1982) in the series The Young Doctors.[6][7] In 1981, she also starred in both the miniseries Winner Take All, and the Ozploitation film, Early Frost.[8][9]
In 1999, McLean played the part of Bess O'Brien in Neighbours for 10 episodes.[6] She made further guest appearances in various TV series, and featured in several short films. Most recently, she has appeared in The End (2020) as Iris and North Shore (2023) as Marjorie Abbott.
Theatre
McLean's work in the theatre has included The Cold Child in 2006 and Love & Money in 2007.[10][11] In 2014, she reprised her role of Vera in 4000 Miles, for which she was nominated for the "Best Actress in a Leading Role in an Independent Production" Sydney Theatre Award in 2013.[12][13] She toured Australia in 2017 and 2018, playing Florence Foster Jenkins in the stage comedy Glorious.[14] She also appeared in the play Air in 2018.[15]
Other work
In 2010, she attended a book launch[16] by screen writer, director and producer Alan Coleman. His autobiography, "One Door Shuts" was launched at the Hotel Bondi, Sydney on 10 January 2010.
In 2014, McLean explained her voice techniques in a video called The Other Side of the Glass.[17]
In 2018, she appeared on the Australian programme The Daily Edition to discuss her career.[18]