The Good Wife remains one of the most critically acclaimed legal dramas of the modern television era, a show that brilliantly blended political scandal, complex morality, and high-stakes courtroom battles. Since the series finale in 2016, the careers of its core ensemble—Julianna Margulies, Josh Charles, Christine Baranski, and the entire supporting cast—have only accelerated, with many stars finding success in major new TV shows, films, and even launching their own spin-off series.
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The Main Cast: From Lockhart/Gardner to 2025’s Biggest Roles
The core ensemble of The Good Wife has maintained a high-profile presence in Hollywood, with several actors securing lead roles in major franchises and receiving industry accolades in 2025.
- Julianna Margulies (Alicia Florrick): The heart of the series, Margulies has continued her impressive career with a mix of television and film projects. In 2025, she starred in Edward Burns' independent film, Millers in Marriage, released in February. She has also been involved in stage work, leading an industry reading of Talisa Friedman's play, WHO BY FIRE. Her post-Good Wife television work includes a notable arc on The Morning Show and a role in the miniseries The Hot Zone.
- Christine Baranski (Diane Lockhart): Baranski’s character was so beloved that she became the anchor of the successful spin-off, The Good Fight, which concluded its run in 2022. In 2025, Baranski remains a television powerhouse, reprising her role as the formidable Agnes van Rhijn in the new season of the HBO period drama, The Gilded Age. Her continued excellence was recognized in 2025 when she was slated to receive the ATX TV Festival's Achievement in Television eXcellence Award.
- Josh Charles (Will Gardner): Following his character's shocking mid-series exit, Charles has taken on a variety of intense roles. In 2024, he starred in the FX limited series The Veil, opposite Elisabeth Moss. Looking ahead to 2025, Charles is set to join the cast of the final season of the acclaimed dystopian series, The Handmaid's Tale, as Commander Wharton. He is also slated to appear in the film Best Medicine as Dr. Martin Best.
- Matt Czuchry (Cary Agos): After his run as the ambitious young lawyer Cary Agos, Czuchry transitioned to a lead role in the medical drama world. He starred as Dr. Conrad Hawkins in the long-running Fox series The Resident, which ran from 2018 to 2023. Since the show's conclusion, he has maintained a presence, attending the premiere of the Hulu series Under The Bridge in 2025.
- Archie Panjabi (Kalinda Sharma): The Emmy-winning actress, known for her enigmatic investigator role, has secured a major role in the iconic British sci-fi universe. Panjabi is reportedly cast as a villain in Series 15 of Doctor Who. Additionally, she is an executive producer on the 2025 film FLIGHT 182, a documentary about the Air India Flight 182 bombing.
- Alan Cumming (Eli Gold): The political fixer has remained a prolific actor and personality. In 2025, Cumming was announced as the host of the prestigious BAFTA Television Awards. He is also an executive producer on the movie Asog, which is slated for a 2025 release, and has garnered attention for his role as the host of the popular reality competition series, The Traitors.
- Chris Noth (Peter Florrick): Noth’s career saw a significant shift following sexual assault allegations in late 2021, which led to his roles being curtailed on other projects. Since then, his first major project is the horror movie The Block, which he promoted on social media, marking a departure from his well-known drama roles.
The Good Wife Universe Expands: Spin-Off Stars and Crossover Success
The success of the original series directly led to the creation of a full-fledged cinematic universe, known as the "Good" universe, helmed by creators Robert and Michelle King. This expansion has provided new opportunities and continued relevance for many of the original series' most dynamic characters.
The Good Fight and Elsbeth: A Continuation of the Legal Drama Legacy
The most significant development for the cast is the creation of the spin-offs, which have kept the spirit of the original show alive and thriving. Two major characters from the original series have successfully transitioned to lead their own shows.
- Carrie Preston (Elsbeth Tascioni): Preston’s fan-favorite, quirky lawyer has achieved the ultimate spin-off status. She now stars as the lead in her own CBS police procedural, Elsbeth, which premiered in 2024. The show sees Elsbeth Tascioni move to New York to work as an observer for the NYPD, a concept created by the Kings, further cementing her character's legacy.
- Cush Jumbo (Lucca Quinn): Introduced in the final season of The Good Wife, Jumbo's character, Lucca Quinn, became a main cast member on the first four seasons of The Good Fight, continuing the narrative of a sharp, ambitious young lawyer in a new firm.
- Sarah Steele (Marissa Gold): Alan Cumming’s daughter on The Good Wife, the sharp-witted Marissa Gold, also transitioned to a main cast role in The Good Fight, becoming a fan favorite as a political commentator and investigator.
Key Recurring Actors: Where Are the Fan Favorites Now?
The strength of The Good Wife was always its deep bench of recurring talent, often featuring Tony and Emmy-winning actors in memorable roles. Many of these actors continue to dominate both television and the New York stage.
- Zach Grenier (David Lee): The cynical, divorce-law partner David Lee has remained busy with stage work, notably playing Willy Loman in a production of Death of a Salesman. He has also been involved in new stage projects like The Pushover, demonstrating his continued commitment to theater alongside his film appearances in projects like Jurassic World: Dominion.
- Mary Beth Peil (Jackie Florrick): Alicia’s formidable mother-in-law, Peil, is a celebrated stage veteran. In 2025, she is highly active in the New York theater scene, with roles in Off-Broadway productions such as The Reservoir (in the 2025-2026 season), and the play The Pen Pals Play in January 2025. She is also scheduled to perform in Anastasia: The Musical in Concert in February 2025.
- Matthew Goode (Finn Polmar): Goode, who joined the cast late in the series as the charming lawyer Finn Polmar, has starred in the hit series A Discovery of Witches and the miniseries The Offer, showcasing his versatility in both fantasy and biographical drama.
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Jason Crouse): Alicia's final love interest, Morgan, is most famous for his long-running role as the villain Negan in The Walking Dead, a role he continues in the spin-off series, The Walking Dead: Dead City.
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