Double joy for British talent at TV’s top awards

Homegrown stars Damian Lewis and Dame Maggie Smith picked up some of TV’s biggest honours as they were recognised for their roles in Homeland and Downton Abbey.

Dame Maggie won Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series for her role as the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the period drama – beating her Yorkshire-born co-star Joanne Froggatt, whose dazzling Vivienne Westwood gown was a  world away from the dowdy dresses and pinafores of her  character, head housemaid Anna Bates.

Dame Maggie, who was not at the ceremony, also saw off competition from Mad Men star Christina Hendricks and The Good Wife actress Archie Panjabi.

Although the ITV1 series was the most nominated British show ever at the Emmys, it was a night of disappointment for many of her Downton Abbey co-stars, however.

Brendan Coyle, who plays valet John Bates, and Jim Carter, who plays the butler Carson, both missed out on supporting actor awards.

Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley, lost out on the lead actress award to Claire Danes, while Hugh Bonneville –who joked before the ceremony that he would “eat my own toe” if he won for his role of the Earl of Grantham – was beaten by Lewis to the lead actor gong.

Downton Abbey missed out on the coveted award for Outstanding Drama Series to Homeland, which also beat Breaking Bad and Mad Men – which had been in the running to take the title for a record fifth time.

The US espionage thriller enjoyed a golden night as Lewis and Danes took home the top acting prizes for their starring roles opposite each other.

Lewis, 41, won Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series for his role as US soldier Nicholas Brody, beating Hollywood veteran and Boardwalk Empire star Steve Buscemi and Jon Hamm, who plays advertising director Don Draper in Mad Men.

Lewis’s character is saved from a hostage situation in the Middle East, but sparks the suspicions of the FBI who think he may have been “turned” and could present a terrorist threat on home soil.

Accepting his award, Lewis said he was “one of those pesky Brits, I apologise”.

“I don’t really believe in judging art, but I thought I’d show up just in case,” he added.

“What an extraordinary honour to be in a category with these golden actors setting a gold standard in acting in a golden age of TV.

“The cast that I work with who are delightful and enjoyable to dine with but especially to the two ladies who’ve suffered me the most, Claire Danes and Marina Baccarin. You’re both beautiful and it’s enjoyable working with you, every minute of it.

“The biggest thank you of all to the leading lady of my life, Helen McCrory, I adore you, darling, thank you for being here.”

He added: “My two children at home thought daddy had been nominated for an Emma.

“Well, Manon and Gulliver, Daddy just won an Emma.”

Danes mirrored his success, winning Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series for her portrayal of disturbed FBI agent Carrie Mathison.

Accepting Homeland’s award for best drama, executive producer Alex Gansa praised its “irresistible” lead actor. He said: “There are so many people to thank, but I’ve got to start with the people around me right now.

“The most talented group I have ever worked with, will ever work with, I’m so incredibly lucky.

“Our brilliant, brilliant cast, led by the incomparable Claire Danes and the irresistible Damian Lewis.”

While Lewis and Dame Maggie were celebrating their successes, there was disappointment for a host of other Brits who were nominated.

The BBC’s Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were beaten to the awards for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Mini-series Or A Movie respectively.

Screen veteran Emma  Thompson, who was nominated for her performance in The Song of Lunch was also beaten to the prize for Outstanding Lead Actress in the same category. The award was won by Hollywood  actress Julianne Moore for her portrayal of Sarah Palin in Game Change.

Armando Iannucci’s new US show, Veep, missed out on  the award for Outstanding Comedy Series but its star Julia Louis-Dreyfus took home the gong for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series.