Cush Jumbo

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27 Feb 2024

Cush Jumbo

Cush Jumbo OBE is a highly accomplished British actress and writer, renowned for her versatility and talent across various mediums.
She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of attorney Lucca Quinn in the CBS drama series The Good Wife (2015–2016) and its spin-off series The Good Fight (2017–2021) on Paramount Plus. Recently, she portrayed June Lenker in the Apple series Criminal Record (2024), showcasing her ability to excel in both television and streaming platforms.

Jumbo's talent extends to the realm of crime drama, where she portrayed DC Bethany Whelan in the ITV series Vera (2012, 2015–16) and Lois Habiba in the third series of the popular Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood in 2009.
In the theater world, Jumbo has received acclaim for her performances on both sides of the Atlantic. She earned a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her compelling portrayal of Mark Antony in Julius Caesar in 2013. Additionally, Jumbo wrote and performed in the one-woman show Josephine and I, garnering critical acclaim and receiving an Evening Standard Theatre Award for her outstanding performance. She reprised her role Off-Broadway in 2015, further solidifying her reputation as a talented playwright and performer.

Jumbo made her Broadway debut in Jez Butterworth's The River in 2014, showcasing her ability to captivate audiences on one of the world's most prestigious stages. Her remarkable talent was once again recognized with a second Olivier Award nomination for her performance as Hamlet upon her return to the London stage in 2021.
Overall, Cush Jumbo's impressive body of work in television, theater, and writing reflects her immense talent and dedication to her craft, earning her a place among the most respected and admired figures in the entertainment industry.

Cush Jumbo's upbringing and early education reflect her diverse background and early passion for the arts.
Born in King's College Hospital in London, Jumbo is the daughter of Angela (née Hall) and Marx Jumbo, with her mother being British and her father Nigerian. Growing up as the second of six children in Lewisham and Southwark, she was immersed in a culturally rich environment from an early age.

Jumbo's interest in the arts blossomed early, as she began dance classes at the age of 3. She attended Adamsrill Primary School in Sydenham and received training at Glenlyn Stage School (now Glenlyn Academy) during her formative years. Later, from ages 11 to 15, she continued her dance training at the Francis Cooper School of Dance while attending Cator Park School for Girls. However, her passion for acting led her to leave Cator Park at the age of 14 to pursue more intensive training at the BRIT School in Croydon.

After completing her secondary education, Jumbo went on to graduate with first-class honors from the BA Acting program at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Initially considering a career in teaching, she ultimately decided to pursue acting, a choice that would pave the way for her successful career in the entertainment industry.

Jumbo's stage credits feature a diverse array of productions. She graced the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith with her presence in Brixton Stories, enchanted audiences at the Almeida with Liquid Gold, and illuminated Shakespeare's Globe with her performance in Love's Labour's Lost. She's left her mark on stages across the UK, appearing in notable productions such as The Cherry Orchard, The Crucible, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Richard III, and Pygmalion at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Her portrayal of Rosalind in As You Like It earned her the prestigious Ian Charleson Award in 2012, solidifying her status as a rising star. Clare Brennan of The Guardian lauded her performance, predicting a bright future: "If these performances truly reflect her talent, Jumbo looks set to become one of the best actresses of her generation."

Jumbo's versatility shines as she takes on various roles, from Constance Neville in She Stoops to Conquer at the National Theatre to Mark Antony in an all-female rendition of Julius Caesar at the Donmar Warehouse. Her portrayal garnered an Olivier Award nomination and acclaim from audiences and critics alike. She reprised her role in Julius Caesar during its revival in New York in October 2013, showcasing her talent on an international stage. In A Doll's House at the Royal Exchange Theatre in May 2013, she delivered a compelling performance as Nora, earning accolades and ultimately clinching a UK Theatre Award later that year.

In a display of her multifaceted talents, Jumbo ventured into playwriting with her debut piece, Josephine and I, a captivating one-woman show centered on jazz icon Josephine Baker. Premiering at the Bush Theatre, London, in July and August 2013, it earned her an Emerging Talent Award at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards. The show's success led to a transfer, with previews commencing at The Public Theater in New York in February 2015.

Jumbo's star continued to rise as she made her Broadway debut in the fall of 2014, captivating audiences in the transfer of The River by Jez Butterworth. Alongside Laura Donnelly and Hugh Jackman, she showcased her prowess on the grand stage of Broadway, further solidifying her reputation as a talent to watch.

Beyond her achievements in theater, Jumbo co-wrote the musical Rebels and Retail, demonstrating her creativity and passion for storytelling across various mediums. Additionally, she contributed to educational literature with her co-authorship of 101 Dance Ideas for 5–11 yr Olds, published by A & C Black. Jumbo's contributions to the arts extend far beyond the stage, reflecting her dedication to enriching cultural experiences for audiences of all ages.

On the small screen, Jumbo has graced audiences with her presence in various television productions. Her roles have ranged from the comedic realm of My Family to the medical drama Harley Street, where she portrayed the efficient receptionist Hannah Fellows. She left a lasting impression as Lois Habiba in Torchwood: Children of Earth, showcased her versatility as Becky in Lip Service, and brought depth to her portrayal of Nurse Damaris in Getting On Series 2 and 3, directed by fellow Torchwood actor Peter Capaldi. Her talent also shone in ITV's Vera as DC Bethany Whelan, a role she reprised over multiple series. Jumbo's versatility extends beyond the screen, with appearances on BBC Radio 4 dramas and as a guest on the panel show Dilemma.

In the American television landscape, Jumbo became a fixture in the legal drama series The Good Wife during its 2015–2016 season, captivating audiences with her performance until the series concluded. She continued to mesmerize viewers in the series' spin-off, The Good Fight, until her departure in May 2020 after four seasons.

Returning to the stage, Jumbo delivered a remarkable performance as the titular character in a production of Hamlet at the Young Vic Theatre in London in October 2021. Directed by Greg Hersov, her portrayal was lauded by The Guardian's Arifa Akbar, who praised her portrayal as a "clear-eyed son," delivered with "shining clarity." This performance garnered Jumbo critical acclaim, earning her an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress and a Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Shakespearean Performance in 2022.

Further showcasing her prowess on stage, Jumbo took on the challenging role of Lady Macbeth opposite David Tennant in Donmar Warehouse's production of Macbeth, directed by Max Webster. Her captivating portrayal captivated audiences from December 8th, 2023, until the show's closing on February 10th, 2024, leaving an indelible mark on the theatrical landscape.