She joined a hit show in its final season and ended up with a spin-off. Cush Jumbo arrived in The Good Wife in 2015 as Lucca Quinn, a sharp lawyer who became a confidante to Julianna Margulies’ character. When the series ended, Lucca carried on into The Good Fight, and Jumbo became one of the best-known British actors on American television.
South London
Cush Jumbo was born in London in 1985 and grew up in south London. Her father is Nigerian and her mother is English. She studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
Theatre first
Before television fame, Jumbo built a strong stage career in Britain. She wrote and performed Josephine and I, a one-woman show about the entertainer Josephine Baker, which played in London and New York. She also appeared in productions at the National Theatre and the Royal Exchange in Manchester.
The Good Wife
Lucca Quinn was introduced in the seventh and final season of The Good Wife. Jumbo’s performance, cool and witty, made the character a favourite with viewers.
The Good Fight
In 2017, Lucca joined The Good Fight, the spin-off starring Christine Baranski. Jumbo stayed for several seasons before leaving in 2021 to spend more time with her young family and pursue other projects.
Hamlet
In 2021, Jumbo played Hamlet at the Young Vic in London, one of a small number of women to take the role in a major production. Critics praised her energy and clarity.
Stay Close
She starred in the Netflix series Stay Close (2021), an adaptation of Harlan Coben’s thriller, playing a woman whose past catches up with her. She also appeared in Criminal: UK.
Producing
Jumbo has spoken about wanting more control over the stories she tells and has developed projects as a producer and writer.
Representation
She has spoken about growing up mixed-race in London and the lack of roles for Black British women early in her career. Her success in America followed a path taken by other British actors of African heritage.
Recognition
Jumbo has received award nominations for her stage work and steady praise for her television performances, and she has become a familiar face for audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
Many actors leave hit shows hoping their next role will be bigger. Cush Jumbo left one to play Hamlet, which says a lot about the kind of career she wants.
