“I hope Donny [Hathaway] plays when Elijah arrives [in heaven],” said actor Leslie Odom Jr. On Thursday the world lost 68-year-old Rep. Elijah Cummings. Odom, who plays William Still in Kasi Lemmons’ Harriet, learned of the long-time congressman’s passing that morning. He continued, “I want Elijah to hear the richness of that voice welcoming him.” The Root caught up with the actor in New York City ahead of the release of Harriet. Watch the entire video above.