If you’ve spent any time at all watching Suits, you know that Donna Paulsen isn't just a legal secretary. She’s the person who makes the whole firm run. She’s the "Donna." But who is the actual human being behind that sharp wit and those impossibly high heels?
Sarah Rafferty is the actress who plays Donna on Suits, and honestly, the line between her and the character is a lot thinner than you might think.
She didn't just stumble into the role of the most capable woman in New York City's legal scene. It took years of grinding in guest spots—you might have spotted her in Law & Order or CSI back in the day—before she became a household name. But once she stepped into those Tom Ford dresses, everything changed.
The Woman Behind the Red Hair
Sarah Rafferty wasn't a newcomer when Suits premiered in 2011. She’s actually incredibly well-educated, which explains why she can deliver those complex, fast-talking lines so effortlessly. We’re talking a double major in English and Theatre from Hamilton College (graduating magna cum laude, no less) and a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama.
Basically, she’s really smart.
She grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, the youngest of four sisters. Her mom chaired an English department and her dad was in finance but also did oil painting. That mix of academic rigor and artistic flair is basically the blueprint for Donna Paulsen.
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Before the show blew up, she was doing the "actor's hustle." You’ve probably seen her face a dozen times without realizing it. She had small roles in:
- Six Feet Under
- Charmed
- Bones
- 8 Simple Rules
- Brothers & Sisters
It was a long road. But then came the script for A Legal Mind (the original title for Suits), and things got interesting.
Sarah Rafferty: How She Landed the Role (Thanks to a Friend)
Here is a bit of trivia that makes the Harvey and Donna chemistry even better: Sarah Rafferty and Gabriel Macht (Harvey) have been best friends in real life since 1993. They met at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and stayed close for decades. When Gabriel Macht got the lead role of Harvey Specter, he actually suggested Sarah for the part of Donna. He knew they already had that "I can finish your sentences" vibe because they’d been doing it for twenty years.
When you see them bickering on screen or Donna giving Harvey that knowing look, that’s not just acting. That’s two people who have known each other since before they were famous. Even their kids are best friends. It’s kinda wholesome, right?
Why Donna Paulsen Almost Didn't Make It
Believe it or not, Donna was barely in the pilot. She was supposed to be a side character—just a secretary with a few lines. But Sarah’s performance was so magnetic that the writers realized they couldn't have Harvey without Donna.
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She became the moral compass of the show. She was the only person who could tell Harvey he was being an idiot and actually make him listen.
The Evolution of the Character
Donna’s arc is one of the most debated things in the Suits fandom. She starts as the ultimate assistant, but by the later seasons, she’s the Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Some fans loved it. They saw it as a win for "non-lawyers" in a high-stakes world. Others thought it was a bit much. I mean, going from secretary to COO is a massive jump, and the "The Donna" AI storyline in season 6? Yeah, that was... a choice. But through all the weird plot twists, Sarah Rafferty kept the character grounded. She made you believe that Donna really was the smartest person in any room.
Life After the Firm: What’s She Doing Now?
Since Suits wrapped up in 2019, Sarah hasn't slowed down. If you’re missing your Donna fix, you can find her in a few high-profile spots:
- Grey’s Anatomy: She had a recurring role as Suzanne, a patient with a mystery illness that stumped everyone at Grey Sloan.
- Chicago Med: She played Dr. Pamela Blake, a high-powered transplant surgeon. It was fun seeing her in scrubs instead of designer skirts, but she still had that "I’m the boss" energy.
- My Life with the Walter Boys: This is her big current project on Netflix. She plays Dr. Katherine Walter, a mom of ten (yes, ten) in Colorado. It’s a total 180 from the New York legal world, but she’s still playing a strong, maternal, "got-it-all-together" lead.
She also co-hosts a podcast called Sidebar with Patrick J. Adams (Mike Ross), where they rewatch the show and talk about what went on behind the scenes. It’s a must-listen if you want to know which scenes were improvised or what the cast was actually thinking during those intense depositions.
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Sarah's Personal Life (The Real One)
Unlike Donna’s complicated "will-they-won't-they" with Harvey that took eight seasons to resolve, Sarah’s real life is pretty stable. She’s been married to Aleksanteri Olli-Pekka Seppälä (who goes by Santtu) since 2001. He’s a big-time investment professional. They have two daughters, Oona Gray and Iris Friday.
She’s also a big advocate for various causes, including Plan International and the Alzheimer's Association. She’s just a decent human being who happens to be a world-class actress.
Actionable Tips for Suits Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of the woman who plays Donna on Suits, here’s how to stay updated:
- Listen to "Sidebar": Seriously, if you love the show, the podcast is the best way to hear Sarah and Patrick talk about the "Suits" phenomenon.
- Watch "My Life with the Walter Boys": It’s a great way to see her range beyond the legal secretary role.
- Follow her on Instagram: She’s pretty active and often shares throwbacks from the Suits set or updates on her current filming projects.
- Check out her early work: If you can find old episodes of Tremors (the TV series) or Samantha Who?, it's fun to see her "before she was Donna."
Sarah Rafferty didn't just play a character; she created a cultural icon. Donna Paulsen is the standard for competence and loyalty, and we have Sarah's Yale-trained acting chops and real-life friendship with Gabriel Macht to thank for that.