From 'Save the Last Dance' Villain to Acclaimed Star: the Evolution of Bianca Lawson

From key trends to fundamental details, get a complete picture of From 'Save the Last Dance' Villain to Acclaimed Star: the Evolution of Bianca Lawson in our latest feature.

Q1: How old was Bianca Lawson when she starred in Pretty Little Liars?
A1: Lawson was 31 years old when she began filming the first season of Pretty Little Liars in 2010. She portrayed Maya St. Germain, a 16-year-old high school sophomore, playing the character until Maya's storyline concluded in 2012 when Lawson was 33.

Q2: Is Bianca Lawson related to Beyoncé?
A2: Yes, through marriage. In 2015, Lawson’s father, veteran actor Richard Lawson, married Tina Knowles. This made Bianca Lawson the stepdaughter of Tina Knowles and the stepsister of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles.

Q3: What role definitively broke Bianca Lawson out of teen typecasting?
A3: Her portrayal of Darla Sutton on Ava DuVernay’s critically acclaimed drama series Queen Sugar (2016, 2022). The complex role of a recovering addict rebuilding her family life earned Lawson serious critical acclaim, an AAFCA TV Honor, and multiple nominations from the Black Reel Awards and NAACP Image Awards.