Good Wife actress collars Emmy award for Britain on night of joy for Mad Men

The London-born actress picked up best supporting actress for her role in the The Good Wife as the US honoured stars of the small screen at a lavish LA ceremony on Sunday night.

But elsewhere it was disappointment for thespians hailing from this side of the pond.

Michael Sheen, Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench were among the high profile nominees who failed to take to the stage and pick up a coveted gong.

Panjabi, who made her name in UK hit films East is East and Bend It Like Beckham, won an Emmy for her role as a law firm’s in-house private investigator in her hit TV show.

The 38-year-old triumphed over fellow The Good Wife actress Christine Baranski and Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss.

Sheen was nominated for best actor in a miniseries or TV movie for The Special Relationship, a film in which he reprised his role as Tony Blair.

But he lost out to acting great Al Pacino, who won a rare TV gong for You Don’t Know Jack. Sir Ian also missed out to Pacino in the category.

Maggie Smith and Dame Judi were both nominated in the female equivalent section. But they lost out as Claire Danes who was given the nod for her performance in Temple Grandin.

Hugh Laurie missed out yet again on an Emmy.

The comedian turned actor has been nominated for his role as grumpy doctor Gregory House in the eponymous show five times.

But he went home empty handed as Bryan Cranston took the title of outstanding actor in a drama for his performance in Breaking Bad.

Panjabi said it was “just amazing” to receive the award as she went up to collect it.

The night’s big winners were Mad Men, named best drama series, and Modern Family, best comedy series.

Glee star Jane Lynch took the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series while the show also won a directing award for Ryan Murphy.

Edie Falco was named best comedy actress for Nurse Jackie and The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons was named best comedy actor for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper.

Falco, who has previously won three best actress awards for her role in drama The Sopranos, seemed shocked and exclaimed: “I’m not funny!”

Kyra Sedgwick won the award for best lead actress in a drama for The Closer.