Tucked into a sunlit corner of Red Rooster Harlem, an intimate (and very well-fed) luncheon unfolded with Cush Jumbo, the commanding star of Criminal Record. Joined by just ten journalists, the vibe felt far less like a press obligation and far more like being in on something special, which felt equal parts industry insight and effortless, unfiltered conversation.
Let’s start with the food, because it deserves its moment. The table was stacked: tender collard greens, deviled eggs with just enough bite, crispy fried chicken that did not come to play, and rich, creamy mac & cheese that felt borderline emotional. Then there was the salmon, and, as always, it was perfectly done, balancing things out just enough so we could pretend we were being responsible. It was giving comfort, it was giving Harlem, and most importantly, it was giving “no one is leaving hungry.”
(Stacks Photography)
Somewhere between passing plates and going back for seconds, Jumbo casually reminded everyone why she’s that girl. Season two of Criminal Record isn’t here to play it safe. “There’s a real cost to truth,” she said, effortlessly pulling us back into the world of the show. “And this season asks whether justice is ever truly clean.” Light lunch conversation, right?
But what really landed was how personal she gets about her work. “I think I really like my job because I get to be on a show with the kids,” she shared, reflecting on the responsibility she feels both on and off screen. “One of the things I love about my job is, like, you can be on something for six months—it’s like, I’m going to choose what I wear, why not choose what I eat?” And honestly, sitting there surrounded by that spread, it tracked.
(Stacks Photography)
She also made it very clear she’s not here to coast. “Like, we want to play people that change, but I’m not that interested in repeating stuff,” Jumbo said. “Otherwise I’d stay on the show for 25 years… no shade, it’s just not my jam.” Translation: expect evolution, not autopilot.
And then there’s the global reach, something she lit up talking about. “I’m half Nigerian, and there was something really exciting about the idea that anybody with an iPhone was going to be able to watch this show,” she said. “Somebody pedaling a bike somewhere I’ve never been could be watching Criminal Record before they deliver the newspapers.” It’s that kind of perspective that makes the show feel bigger than just another crime drama.
Even with all the heavy themes like justice, consequence, and institutional complexity. The energy at the table stayed warm, funny, and refreshingly real. Jumbo has that rare ability to go deep without losing the room, to balance intensity with humor in a way that feels completely natural.
By the time the plates were cleared (finally), and the conversation started to wind down, one thing was obvious. Criminal Record isn’t just raising the stakes in Season 2, it’s leveling up entirely. And if this lunch was any indication, we’re all going to be very locked in.
