Sarah Rafferty: From Stage to "Suits" and Beyond

Sarah Rafferty is an accomplished American actress, celebrated for her captivating portrayal of Donna Paulsen in the USA Network's hit legal drama, "Suits," and for her role as Katherine Walter on the American teen drama My Life with the Walter Boys, for which she received a Children's and Family Emmy Award nomination. However, Rafferty's journey to success has been a long one, marked by dedication to her craft, a strong educational foundation, and a passion for both stage and screen.

Early Life and Education: Nurturing a Passion for the Arts

Born on December 6, 1972, in New Canaan, Connecticut, Sarah Rafferty grew up in an artistically inclined family. Her father, Michael Griffin Rafferty Jr., was a successful oil painter, while her mother, Mary Lee Rafferty, served as the Chairwoman of the English Department at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, CT, a prestigious girls’ prep school. This environment undoubtedly fostered her early interest in the arts and academics. Rafferty grew up as the youngest of four daughters in the Riverside neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Rafferty's academic journey began at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where she graduated in 1989. It was during her high school years that she was first bitten by the acting bug. As the story goes, her drama teacher caught her running across his lawn, trying to get to field hockey practice on time. He encouraged her to skip practice and join the cast of "Richard III," igniting her love for theatre.

Driven by her passion, Rafferty pursued a double major in English and Theatre at Hamilton College. During her junior year, she broadened her horizons by studying theatre abroad in London and Oxford. She graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton in 1993. Rafferty continued her education at the Yale School of Drama, earning her MFA and honing her acting skills.

A Foundation in Theatre

Before achieving widespread recognition on television, Rafferty built a solid foundation in theatre. She appeared in many regional theatres across the country, including productions and workshops of several new plays at South Coast Rep. While starring opposite Kathleen Turner and Charles Busch in his play, “The Third Story”, The New York Times’ Ben Brantley called Rafferty “a screwball charmer.” She considers acting, especially in theatre, as an intimate process, drawing inspiration from every actor she encounters. During her junior year abroad in London, she had the opportunity to meet Juliet Stevenson, who coached her in a scene. Meryl Streep also visited her class at Yale, encouraging students to work hard and pursue their dreams. At Williamstown, she apprenticed with Blythe Danner one summer, gaining invaluable backstage experience.

"Suits": A Defining Role

Rafferty's portrayal of Donna Paulsen in "Suits" is arguably her most iconic role to date. Donna is Harvey Specter's executive assistant and one of the most formidable minds at Pearson Hardman. Her razor-sharp wit, comedic timing, and impeccable sense of style have made her a fan favorite.

Rafferty recalls being immediately drawn to the character when she read the pilot script. She was struck by the distinct voices of the characters and the potential for their development over several years. The fast-paced nature of the pilot also impressed her. Adding to the appeal was the opportunity to work with Gabriel Macht, an old friend from the Williamstown Theatre Festival, who had been cast as Harvey.

Over the seasons, Donna's character has evolved significantly. Rafferty appreciates how the writers have tailored the character to her strengths and how Donna has grown in unexpected ways. One particularly memorable early moment is a scene where Donna manipulates Lewis with a false crying fit. The writers later explored Donna's past aspirations as an actor, adding another layer to her complex personality. Rafferty finds it gratifying to create a backstory for her character, and she enjoys how some of her own notions about Donna's history have been incorporated into the writing.

Navigating Career and Family

Like many working mothers, Sarah Rafferty balances her career with her family life. She is married to Aleksanteri Olli-Pekka Seppälä, an American of Finnish descent, often known as Santtu, who is the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at the Angeleno Group, a venture capital firm. They met at Yale and married on June 23, 2001, at the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. Together, they have two daughters.

Rafferty acknowledges that achieving a perfect work-life balance is often unrealistic. She prioritizes her family and deliberately keeps her personal life private, shielding her children from excessive media attention. She uses social media thoughtfully, sharing occasional family moments while maintaining overall privacy. Her experiences as a wife and mother have undoubtedly shaped her career choices, and her family plays a significant role in her decisions.

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During the filming of Season 2 of "Suits," Rafferty faced the challenge of balancing work with motherhood, as her second child was only six weeks old. She humorously recalls the difficulties of breastfeeding, pumping, and coordinating her wardrobe while on set.

Other Notable Roles and Appearances

Aside from her role in "Suits," Rafferty has appeared in numerous other television series, including "Law & Order" (one of her earliest appearances was in 1999), "Six Feet Under," "Brothers & Sisters," "Samantha Who?," "Without A Trace," "CSI: Miami," and "Bones." She has also acted in feature films such as "Four Single Fathers" and "Falling For Grace," along with countless professional stage productions like "Gemini" and "As You Like It." More recently, she starred as Katherine Walter on the American teen drama My Life with the Walter Boys, for which she received a Children's and Family Emmy Award nomination in the Outstanding Supporting Performer category.

In addition to her acting roles, Rafferty's engaging personality led to a week-long hosting position on "The Social," a Canadian daytime talk show.

Style and Fashion Icon

Donna Paulsen is known for her impeccable fashion sense, and Sarah Rafferty credits Jolie Andreatta, the show's designer, for creating the character's signature style. Rafferty has described her experience on "Suits" as a "masterclass in fashion," gaining an understanding of how clothes are constructed and what makes different aspects of fashion special as an art form.

Philanthropy

Sarah Rafferty is an ambassador for Plan Canada's Because I Am A Girl Initiative, which promotes girls' rights as human rights. She became involved with the organization after watching the documentary "Girl Rising." She plans to travel to Africa to visit schools established by the organization and witness their work firsthand.

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Advice for Aspiring Actors

Drawing on her own experiences, Rafferty advises young actors to prioritize continuous learning and growth. She emphasizes the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities such as play readings, workshops, and auditions to keep honing their skills. She believes that the process of growth is never truly complete and that actors should always strive to improve.

Future Aspirations

Rafferty expresses a desire to emulate Maggie Smith's longevity in the industry. While "Suits" and her family occupy much of her time, she looks forward to returning to the theatre when the time is right. She also dreams of moving back to New York and becoming involved in the theatre scene there.

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