“British actress Cynthia Erivo, who stars in the new film “Harriet,” hopes she won’t be the last to play the famous Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman on a big screen. Responding to criticism about being cast over an American actress, Erivo said she understands where the critics are coming from.

“”I think it’s because these characters are rare,” she said on “CBS This Morning” Friday. “But … I hope it just encourages more of these films because we have plenty of Abraham Lincoln, plenty of Winston Churchills. But we definitely need more Harriet Tubmans.”

“”Harriet,” released Friday, is the first major feature film about Tubman’s life, detailing her escape from slavery and how she helped free hundreds of other slaves through the Underground Railroad. Preparing for the film, Erivo said she learned how important Tubman’s faith was to her.”

Read more at CBS