(Photo: Paola Kudacki for Elle Magazine, November 2014)

Gugu Mbatha-Raw is slaying the cover of Elle magazine's November issue. The actress is fronting one of the glossy's Women in Hollywood editions and is rocking a black jacket from Calvin Klein Collection, earrings from Harry Winston and Chopard and a David Yurman ring. We're especially loving the slicked-back hair and bold coral lip.

Inside, Mbatha-Raw talks about her role in Beyond the Lights and what about the film sparked her interest.

"One of the things that drew me to the project was the relationship between mother and daughter — that 'mom-ager' dynamic — because I grew up with a single mom, though my dad has definitely been in my life a lot. But my mom couldn't be more different from Minnie Driver's character. I was the pushy child, the one who wanted to be doing ballet and jazz and tap and everything," she said.

The actress also chatted about whether or not she's ever felt like she's reached the top.

"It's funny — I never feel like, 'Oh, wow, I've made it.' I'm interested in the journey. I'm interested in the adventure of working with different people, and I guess as soon as you sit on your laurels and can go, 'Well, aren't I great?' — that's just the beginning of the end," she said.

Mbatha-Raw's cover is one of eight, as she's honored alongside Brie Larson, Jessica Lange, Annette Bening, Tina Fey, Zoe Saldana, Elizabeth Banks and Jennifer Garner. Elle's Women in Hollywood issue is on newsstands now.

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