Jurnee Smollett posts an emotional tribute to Lovecraft Country co-star Michael K. Williams: "My brother, my heart hurts so"

The Root

"A part of my brain refuses to accept it…sh*tty part about grief-it goes in stages," Smollett wrote in a lengthy tribute on Instagram to the late actor posted this morning. "For me, it started w/ denial. When @jakesmollett called to tell me, my brain went 'hell naw that’s not true, let me call Michael.' And I called him. I called him over & over until my brain said stop, he’s gone. I couldn’t breathe. Taken awhile for my brain to metabolize how the world can continue to spin w/out him here in the physical form. He was supposed to be here with us this week in LA for the Emmys. He was supposed to see how big Hunter is, we were gonna dance, celebrate, cry. Instead our brother was laid to rest today. I still can’t make sense of it. Perhaps it’s selfish of me to want to hold onto this beautiful man that came into my life & forever changed it…One of the first scenes I did w/ @bkbmg was in episode 2 of @lovecrafthbo, Uncle George’s death. We were racing the clock, losing sun, it was a long steady-cam shot, which began w/ me running into Jonathan/Atticus’ arms. In an attempt to quiet the chaos, I looked at Michael/ MONTROSE, in the backseat of Woody, holding Uncle George in his arms, I could feel the pain held behind his eyes, my soul understood it. Thats the beauty of MKW’s instrument- he threw his entire being into each moment w/ such bravery and sacrifice. Thats all I needed…simply look in Michael/ Montrose’s eyes."

ALSO:

• Michael K. Williams' funeral was held Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Jurnee Smollett also posted a behind-the-scenes video of the Lovecraft Country cast surprising Williams with a birthday cake