Sarah Rafferty

Sarah Rafferty is an American actress best known for playing Donna Paulsen, the witty and fiercely loyal legal secretary turned executive, in the drama “Suits.” Born on 6 December 1972 in New Canaan, Connecticut, she trained extensively for the stage, earning a BA from Hamilton College and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama, and also studied at the University of Oxford.

After years of theatre and guest television work, Rafferty landed the role of Donna on “Suits” (2011–2019), appearing in 132 episodes. Her character’s sharp humour and deep bond with Gabriel Macht’s Harvey Specter made Donna one of the show’s most popular figures and the heart of many of its storylines.

Donna’s evolution from assistant to Chief Operating Officer mirrored the show’s own growth, and Rafferty’s performance earned her a devoted following that only expanded when “Suits” became a streaming phenomenon long after its original run.

Following “Suits,” Rafferty took a leading role as Dr. Katherine Walter in the Netflix family drama “My Life with the Walter Boys” (from 2023), for which the series received a Children’s and Family Emmy Award nomination, introducing her to a new generation of viewers.

She co-hosts the podcast “Sidebar” with her former “Suits” co-star Patrick J. Adams, in which the two rewatch and reflect on the series, and she has remained an active voice in the show’s enduring fan community.

With a classical theatre education and a career built on both comedic timing and emotional depth, Rafferty has become one of the most recognisable faces of contemporary American television drama.

Married with two daughters, she has balanced a busy screen career with family life, and her portrayal of Donna Paulsen remains among the most fondly remembered characters of the “Suits” era.

Her return to a prominent lead role in “My Life with the Walter Boys” demonstrated her range beyond the corporate world of “Suits,” and the show’s success confirmed her appeal to a broad family audience. Whether in legal drama or heartfelt ensemble storytelling, Rafferty brings a warmth and intelligence that has made her one of the most dependable leading actresses of her era.