“I'm so different as a person”: Suits LA star Azita Ghanizada responds to comparisons between Roslyn and Donna

Suits LA, a 2025 spin-off of the USA Network’s show Suits, focuses on a fresh set of characters and storyline. However, certain elements in the new show still remind the audience of its predecessor.

Viewers have especially noticed similarities between Roslyn, Ted Black’s secretary in the Suits LA, and Donna, who performed the same job for Harvey Specter in Suits. Both Roslyn and Donna are portrayed as quick-witted and strong-headed women who are adept at fulfilling their responsibilities. Hence, viewers have been quick to take to social media and make comparisons between them.

Actress Azita Ghanizada, who plays Roslyn, has responded to these comparisons between her character and Donna, who was played by Sarah Rafferty. In an interview with ScreenRant, the actress highlighted the differences between the two and stated:

“I just feel like I'm so different as a person, and they're writing me just slightly different and allowing my strengths to come through where her strengths came through.”

She elaborated further:

“And you also get to know your actor, and then you write to those strengths, and then it grows and grows and grows and grows, and then you see that character build.”

Suits LA star Azita Ghanizada says Roslyn is not a recreation of Donna

Donna’s loyalty toward Harvey Specter and her sharp skills made her a fan-favorite in Suits. When Suits LA premiered on NBC, fans noticed Roslyn has a similar personality and devotion towards Ted Black, the Specter's counterpart in the spin-off.

In her interview, Azita Ghanizada pointed out that Roslyn and Donna are two different characters, which results in unique relationships with their respective bosses:

“When the original show started, they [Harvey and Donna] were much younger than where Ted and I are in our iteration of this time in our lives. We're in a different place. He's [Harvey] still fighting for name partner. Ted is name partner.”

The actress also explained:

“I've been with him through getting to name partner. We've done that. We played that game together for a long time. And, so I think the way that Sarah Rafferty, the original Donna, was, it was so unique to her, and also to their history and relationship. These [Ted and Roslyn] are two friends that got to work together.”

Ghanizada added that she does not want to recreate Donna in her portrayal of Roslyn, and that audiences will be able to notice the stark difference between the two as the show progresses. She also appreciated Sarah Rafferty’s performance in Suits, stating:

“But yeah, she was brilliant, and she is brilliant, and ever trying to recreate anything that she did would be an injustice to both her and myself.”

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Suits LA tells the story of Ted Black, an attorney managing a law firm who is betrayed by his business partner and has to figure out ways to keep the company afloat. The show also stars Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg in pivotal roles.

Suits LA airs new episodes on NBC on Sundays.

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