With all due respect, I think Ms. Cush Jumbo is way wrong.

LINK TO ARTICLE: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40569406 

BBC did an interview and reported: “English actress Cush Jumbo says British black actors are being given roles in America over their US counterparts because "we are better”.”  

Ms. Jumbo needs to sit with a Black American veteran of “the business” who can help her see the “real”.  I suggest she learn something about the quirky nature of many in the American film business who undervalue talents of historically steeped-in-Black American Culture, homegrown Black actors—in favor of “something else”.  

Ironic that Ms. Jumbo complains of being “undervalued” in her native Britain for being “Black”, while blindly(and ignorantly/wrongly) undervaluing the talent of Black American actors she is given “quirky” preference over.  Some of whom, I KNOW, are better suited for some roles based on—if nothing else, deep understanding of the nuances of being a generations-deep “historical Black” in America.  I’ve seen Ms. Jumbo—she's talented, no doubt.  But she's got nothin' on Angela Bassett(talk about an under-utilized talent)... and a whole bunch of other "Native" Black American actresses.    

I would even go so far as to suggest there are many—who can portray Black American women with far more “authenticity” than you, Ms Jumbo.  Same with Black American men actors.  I’ve seen guys come through auditions who are far more dynamic, commanding, charismatic—and just as well-trained—as some of the British fellows who’ve gotten preference via the “quirkies”.  

And then there is the “business” side belief that foreign distribution might be better served by having “foreigners” in place of “Americans”; particularly “Black” Americans.  

Have some respect.  There's work for you because a lot of folks you dissed have worked over generations to "create" opportunities. Opportunities you, apparently, do not have in your native Britain.