You know the walk. That confident, "I already handled it" stride that defined the hallways of Pearson Hardman for nine seasons. For most of us, Sarah Rafferty is Donna Paulsen. Period. She’s the red-headed force of nature who knew what Harvey Specter was thinking before he even thought it. But if you think her career started and ended with a desk and a sharp wit in Manhattan, you're actually missing some of her best work.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how many people forget she’s been working steadily since the late 90s. She didn't just manifest out of thin air to save Mike Ross from a drug bust. From medical dramas to Netflix teen hits, the list of sarah rafferty movies and shows is a lot deeper than a single IMDB credit.
The Suits Era: More Than a Secretary
We have to talk about Suits first because it’s the elephant in the room. But here’s the thing: Donna wasn't supposed to be what she became. Early on, she was a supporting player. By the end, she was the COO. That transition didn't happen because of the writing alone; it happened because Rafferty’s chemistry with Gabriel Macht (Harvey) was basically nuclear. They’ve been best friends in real life for over twenty years, which explains why those "Darvey" scenes felt so lived-in.
When the show hit Netflix a few years back and exploded all over again, a new generation discovered her. But while the world was obsessing over Donna’s wardrobe, Rafferty was already pivoting.
Life After the Firm: Chicago Med and Netflix
A lot of fans felt a bit betrayed when she popped up on Chicago Med as Dr. Pamela Blake. It was a total 180. No more high-fashion pencil skirts; she was in scrubs, playing a high-stakes transplant surgeon. She brought that same "I'm the smartest person in the room" energy, but with a clinical, colder edge.
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Her exit from the show was messy—not behind the scenes, but for her character. A surgical complication left her character with nerve damage in her hands. It was a heartbreaking arc for a surgeon. Why did she leave so soon? Well, Netflix came calling.
My Life with the Walter Boys is where she’s spent most of her time lately. She plays Katherine Walter, a veterinarian and mother to a literal army of boys (ten, to be exact). If you’re used to her as the childless, career-focused Donna, seeing her as a nurturing, overwhelmed-but-capable matriarch in rural Colorado is a trip.
It’s a massive hit. The show was renewed for a third season, which is slated to drop in 2026. It proves she can carry a "cozy" drama just as well as a high-octane legal thriller.
The Roles You Totally Forgot About
Before the fame, Rafferty was the queen of the "one-episode guest star" circuit. If you go back and rewatch your favorite procedurals from the 2000s, she’s everywhere.
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- Six Feet Under (2003): She played Rachel Mortimer. It was brief, but intense.
- Bones (2009): She showed up as Katie Selnick.
- Charmed: Yep, she was in the original series. She played a character named Vicky in the episode "The Last Temptation of Christy."
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006): This is the one that trips people up. She has a tiny role as Liz. Blink and you’ll miss her, but she was there in the middle of the fashion-world chaos.
She also did a Hallmark-style movie called All Things Valentine in 2016. It’s exactly what you think it is—light, sweet, and a complete departure from the cynical world of New York law.
Why She’s Still Everywhere in 2026
What makes her career interesting is that she hasn't tried to replicate Donna. She could have easily spent the last five years playing "smart assistant with a heart of gold" in every pilot script in Hollywood. Instead, she went for the "Mom" role on Netflix and the "Doctor" role on NBC.
She’s also been leaning into the podcast world with her Suits co-star Patrick J. Adams. Their rewatch podcast, Sidebar, has been a goldmine for fans wanting behind-the-scenes tea. It’s rare to see actors embrace their legacy so warmly while still moving forward with new projects.
What to Watch Right Now
If you’re looking to dive into the sarah rafferty movies and shows catalog, don't just stick to the obvious stuff.
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- My Life with the Walter Boys: Watch this if you want something "comfort food" style. It’s sentimental but Sarah keeps it grounded.
- Chicago Med (Season 7): Watch this to see her range. She’s authoritative in a way that feels very different from Donna.
- Small, Beautifully Moving Parts: This is a 2011 indie film. It’s quirky, weird, and shows a much more "human" and less polished side of her acting.
- Browse (2020): A digital horror/thriller. It’s a bit under the radar but worth a look if you want to see her in a darker setting.
The best way to appreciate what she brings to the screen is to look at the gaps between the roles. She has this ability to be incredibly precise—every look and pause feels intentional. Whether she’s filing a brief or performing a kidney transplant, you believe she’s done it a thousand times before.
If you want to stay updated on her latest work, your best bet is to keep an eye on Netflix's 2026 release schedule for Walter Boys Season 3. In the meantime, rewatching the early seasons of Suits never hurts—just to remember where that legendary "Donna" energy started.
Next Steps:
To see the full evolution of her career, start with the pilot of Suits to anchor her most famous persona, then jump straight into My Life with the Walter Boys on Netflix. The contrast between the high-rise lawyer life and the Colorado vet life shows exactly why she’s stayed relevant for three decades. Check out her podcast Sidebar if you want the actual stories behind the filming of her most iconic scenes.