When running through TV’s growing roster of smart, strong and powerful female characters, Donna Paulsen is as undeniable as she might seem unlikely.
Daenerys Targaryen. Olivia Pope. Offred. Queen Victoria. Cookie Lyon. And Donna.
Played by Sarah Rafferty, Donna hails from USA’s “Suits.” When the legal drama launched seven seasons ago, Donna was the secretary to Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), the central character alongside his protégé Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams).
But as “Suits” marks its 100th episode next week (Wednesday, 9 p.m.), the law firm of Pearson Specter Litt has a new COO: Donna.
She didn’t get there by sleeping with someone or using clever feminine wiles. She has brains and occasionally brass to thank for her rise.
“At the beginning I didn’t know how prominent Donna would become,” Rafferty tells the Daily News.
But when she got the pilot script from Macht, who happens to be an old friend, “I saw there was a chance,” the actress says.
“The writers drew the characters so clearly, and with Donna and Harvey, they had set up such a dynamic relationship,” adds Rafferty, who’s 44. “You could tell from the way he respected her that she was quite a girl. I knew there would be opportunities for this character to grow.”
Television has always liked smart secretaries, exemplified by the likes of Della Street on “Perry Mason” (a CBS legal drama that aired from 1957 to 1966) — quietly and loyally saving many a day for the boss.
Donna saves days all the time. But unlike some of her earlier counterparts, she wants to be recognized and rewarded for it.
“I want more,” she told Harvey in the last episode of season 6. He was smart enough to listen.
“Donna was conceived as an integral part of the show,” Aaron Korsh, creator of “Suits,” tells the Daily News. “I always saw her as smart, funny, charming, efficient, and most importantly, empathetic. Her relationship with Harvey was originally designed to allow him to be accessible to the audience.
“Having said all that, the way Sarah Rafferty brought Donna to life exceeded my wildest imagination and without a doubt resulted in her ever-increasing role in both Harvey’s life and the show.”
Donna and Harvey also dance with the eternal “will they/won’t they” question. They’re in love with each other and won’t admit it, though Donna may be a little closer than Harvey.
Donna’s ascent, however, has not come on the coattails of a man. It arrived through hard work, dedication and self-confidence.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a photographic memory,” she told Mike at one point, “but my brain is already busy being awesome.”
A secretary rising to become a law firm’s COO, yes, that is awesome.
“The only reason the firm has survived all its trials and tribulations is that Donna has used her magic powers of intuition and foresight,” says Megan Vick, an associate editor at TV Guide. “She’s demanding she be recognized for it. It’s about time.”
This move does open Donna up to some “pushy broad” backlash, which the writers and Korsh won’t be ignoring.
But “Suits” has always valued women. Until this season, the managing partner in the law firm has been Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres), who gets a spinoff next year.
So “Suits” has been amenable to creating a Donna, which Rafferty calls “the opportunity of a lifetime” for an actress.
“Donna’s very smart, sometimes the smartest person in the room,” Rafferty says. “But she has a different kind of intelligence. Harvey is great with professional skills and not so great with emotional intelligence. Donna guides him through his emotional life.”
When he first got the “Suits” idea, Korsh recalls, “I had zero intention of there being sexual tension or even chemistry between Harvey and Donna. I’d actually seen Donna as much older. But the second Sarah walked in the door, we knew we’d found our Donna.”
Awesome.
