Playing a mother on the series My Life with the Walter Boys aligns closely with Sarah Rafferty’s own life, as she is also a devoted mother to her daughters, Oona and Iris. Married to Santtu Seppälä since 2001, the Suits alum shares two children with him: Oona, born in 2007, and Iris, who arrived in 2012. Rafferty’s personal experiences as a mother have deepened her connection to her role on television.
In a December 2023 interview with PEOPLE, she remarked, “My life revolves entirely around my children at this point in my life.” Reflecting on her character’s large family dynamic, she expressed gratitude for her two daughters, stating, “My two are perfect.”
Married to Santtu Seppälä since 2001, Rafferty shares her parenting journey with him, raising Oona, born in 2007, and Iris, who joined the family in 2012
Rafferty has frequently spoken about her affection for Oona and Iris. In a 2014 interview with Parents Canada, she described them as “the light of my life,” praising their outgoing and affectionate personalities. “They crack me up every single day,” she added, highlighting their love for singing and dancing.
Here’s a closer look at Sarah Rafferty’s daughters, Oona and Iris.
Born on October 22, 2007, Oona Gray Seppälä is Rafferty and Seppälä’s eldest child. To commemorate her 13th birthday in 2020, Rafferty posted a heartfelt Instagram tribute featuring a photo of Oona with her birthday cake, expressing disbelief at how quickly she was growing up. “My heart hurts,” she wrote, conveying her love for her daughter.
During the filming of Suits, Rafferty’s family managed a bi-coastal lifestyle, splitting their time between Los Angeles and Toronto. This experience meant Oona attended two different schools, which Rafferty initially worried might be challenging. However, she later shared with Redbook that it became an enriching experience that boosted Oona’s self-esteem.
Fostering a transparent relationship with her daughters is a priority for Rafferty. In a 2016 interview with Univision, she discussed her efforts to encourage Oona to be authentic and open about her feelings. “I hope she feels we can provide a safe space for anything she wants to talk about,” she said, emphasizing the importance of family connection.
Both Oona and Iris enjoyed visiting the Suits set with their mother, and Rafferty recalled their fondness for the craft services truck and hair and makeup trailer. “Those wardrobe room photos are treasures for me,” she said, cherishing the memories made during their visits.
Iris Friday Seppälä, the couple’s younger daughter, was born on January 27, 2012. Rafferty has noted the close bond between her daughters, emphasizing the importance of empathy in their interactions. “When her sister was crying the other day, we literally got a tissue and wiped away her tears and kissed her,” she recalled, highlighting their caring relationship.
Although Rafferty is known for her role as Donna on Suits, her daughters aren’t particularly familiar with the show. In a 2024 interview with New Beauty, she revealed that while they spent time on set, they never watched the series. Iris did see a few episodes at age 11 but found them uncomfortable, expressing to her mother, “I just want you to be my mommy.”
Iris has enjoyed watching My Life with the Walter Boys and was thrilled about her mother’s lead role in the series. In a 2023 interview with Glamour, Rafferty mentioned that according to Iris, My Life with the Walter Boys has the potential to be a hit series, especially after she loved The Summer I Turned Pretty. “I’m pretty hopeful!” Rafferty said, sharing her daughter’s enthusiasm for the project.
