You probably know her as Donna Paulsen—the woman who knew everything before it even happened. For nine seasons on Suits, Sarah Rafferty played the sharp-tongued, red-headed force of nature that kept Pearson Specter Litt from imploding. But because that show has had such a massive, logic-defying resurgence on Netflix lately, people are looking at her and wondering: how is she not aging? Seriously, how old is Sarah Rafferty exactly?
The math is actually pretty straightforward, even if her skincare routine suggests otherwise. Sarah Rafferty was born on December 6, 1972. As we move through 2026, that makes her 53 years old, and she’ll be hitting her 54th birthday this coming December.
It’s kinda wild to think about, but she’s been in the industry for over twenty-five years. She didn’t just pop out of nowhere when Harvey Specter hired her. She’s a Yale School of Drama grad with a serious theater pedigree, which is probably why she could deliver those "I'm Donna" one-liners with such terrifying precision.
Why Everyone Is Searching for Sarah Rafferty Right Now
Honestly, the "Suits effect" is real. Even though the original show wrapped up its run on the USA Network back in 2019, it basically took over the world again via streaming. This has led to a massive wave of "Wait, what is she doing now?" searches.
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If you’ve been keeping up, you’ve probably spotted her as the matriarch Katherine Walter in the Netflix hit My Life with the Walter Boys. It’s a total 180 from the high-stakes corporate world of New York law firms. Instead of power suits and glass offices, she’s playing a rural veterinarian with ten kids.
Interestingly, she’s also been leaning back into her Suits roots lately. Along with her real-life best friend Patrick J. Adams (who played Mike Ross), she’s been co-hosting Sidebar: A Suits Watch Podcast. It’s basically the ultimate fan service. They’re going through the show episode by episode, and Sarah has admitted on mic that she actually hasn't seen most of the series. Hearing her react to her own performance from over a decade ago is pretty gold.
A Career Built on More Than Just Donna
A lot of fans don't realize how much work Sarah put in before the Pearson Specter days. She was all over your favorite procedurals in the early 2000s.
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- Charmed: She had a guest spot back in the day.
- 6 Feet Under: A quick but memorable appearance.
- CSI and Bones: The standard "I'm a guest star" rite of passage for every talented actor in Hollywood.
After Suits, she didn't slow down. She had a recurring stint on Grey’s Anatomy as Suzanne Britland and then moved over to the One Chicago universe. In Chicago Med, she played Dr. Pamela Blake, a high-level transplant surgeon. It seems she’s cornered the market on playing women who are the smartest person in the room.
The Secret to the "Donna" Longevity
People ask about her age so much because, frankly, she looks incredible. But it's not just about aesthetics. There's a specific energy Rafferty brings to her roles that feels timeless. Maybe it's the theater training. Maybe it's the fact that she’s been married to her husband, Santtu Seppälä, since 2001—which is basically a century in Hollywood years.
They have two daughters, Oona and Iris. Sarah is pretty vocal about the balancing act of being a "proud mom" while filming on location. When My Life with the Walter Boys was filming in Alberta, Canada, she talked about how her life basically revolves around her kids when the cameras aren't rolling.
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What’s Next for Sarah Rafferty in 2026?
If you're wondering if we'll ever see her back in the Suits universe, the door isn't exactly shut. With the Suits L.A. spinoff being a major talking point, fans are practically begging for a Donna cameo. While nothing is set in stone, she’s told reporters that "Donna lives in her heart always."
For now, you can catch her on the third season of Walter Boys or listen to her break down old scripts on her podcast. At 53, she’s arguably having a bigger career moment now than she was ten years ago. It just goes to show that in an industry obsessed with youth, actual talent and a killer work ethic usually win out.
If you want to keep up with her latest projects, the best bet is following her on Instagram where she's surprisingly active with behind-the-scenes content. Or, you know, just start your fourth rewatch of Suits. No judgment here.
Actionable Insights:
- Check out Sidebar: If you’re a Suits nerd, the podcast is a must-listen for the chemistry between her and Patrick J. Adams.
- Watch Walter Boys: If you want to see her range beyond the "Donna" persona, the Netflix series is a great pivot.
- Verify Birthdays: Always remember she’s a December baby (Dec 6, 1972), so she'll stay 53 for most of 2026.