Emmy joy for Winslet and Downton Abbey
Kate Winslet and Downton Abbey were among the big winners at the Emmy Awards in Hollywood, making it a successful night for British TV talent.
Winslet was honoured for her lead actress role in Mildred Pierce, while ITV1’s hit period drama picked up four gongs, including best mini-series and a best supporting actress award for Dame Maggie Smith.
Dressed in a glamorous red gown, an emotional Winslet dedicated the award to her mother, and said: “I didn’t think we were going to win anything.”
Downton Abbey, which launched its second series in the UK last night, was also honoured for its writing and directing, with gongs for Julian Fellowes and Brian Percival.
The 63rd Primetime Emmys ceremony also saw advertising industry drama Mad Men win its fourth consecutive best drama series award, while Modern Family claimed its second best comedy trophy.
Disappointment for Hugh Laurie
Writer Julian Fellowes called the success of the show a “David and Goliath story”, and said: “I would like to thank you, the American industry. 10 years ago you kick-started my second career with an Oscar, tonight you have nurtured it.”
Winslet, who already has an Oscar and a Grammy, beat stars including Downton Abbey’s Elizabeth McGovern and Upstairs Downstairs veteran Jean Marsh to her trophy.
But there was disappointment for Hugh Laurie, who lost out to Kyle Chandler of Friday Night Lights in the lead actor in a drama series category.
Scottish stars Kelly MacDonald, of Boardwalk Empire, and Alan Cumming, of The Good Wife, also went away empty-handed.
British actor Idris Elba, who stars in Luther, lost out to Barry Pepper of The Kennedys for lead actor in a mini-series or movie, and Cat Deeley missed out in the reality show host category.
Fellow Briton Tom Wilkinson, who was nominated for The Kennedys, lost out to Mildred Pierce actor Guy Pearce in the supporting actor in a mini-series category.
News of the World joke cut
Other notable wins included Martin Scorsese, who was honoured for directing drama series Boardwalk Empire, and Julianna Margulies, who was named best lead actress in a drama series for The Good Wife.
The show in Los Angeles kicked off on a controversial note after a comedy routine about the British phone-hacking scandal was cut from the US broadcast.
Alex Baldwin was to be part of an opening video for the ceremony, broadcast on Fox, which is owned by News Corp, the parent company of News International.
But the actor tweeted before the ceremony that the network had killed his joke about the hacking furore involving the now defunct News of the World. Fox said it believed it was inappropriate to make light of an issue being taken very seriously by the company.