Lawrence grew up in London but spent every summer with his grandparents on their farm just outside the small fishing village of Bantry on the west coast of Ireland. Lawrence attended an all boys school until the age of sixteen when, for his drama lessons, he had to attend an all girls school nearby.

After working in jobs ranging from selling tents to labouring, Lawrence successfully auditioned for a one year acting course. Shortly after completing the one year course he was accepted at the prestigious theatre school, Drama Centre London where he trained for a further three years.

Lawrence graduated on a Friday and started work the following Monday on an opera directed by Drama Centre alumni Simon Callow. Lawrence made his West End theatre debut in Sir Peter Hall's production of Amadeus at The Old Vic, which starred Michael Sheen and David Suchet. Lawrence's television debut came when he worked again with David Suchet on Poirot: Evil Under The Sun (2001). Lawrence has been training in the Japanese martial art of Jiu Jitsu for many years and now holds the rank of Black Belt (4th dan).