Emmy awards: Homeland beats Mad Men to best drama

At a glitzy ceremony in Los Angeles yesterday, Dame Maggie Smith picked up an award for her portrayal of the grand Dowager Countess of Grantham in country house series Downton Abbey, while Damian Lewis hailed a “golden age” of television as he scooped an award for his portrayal of an American in espionage thriller Homeland, which counts US President Barack Obama as a fan.

Dame Maggie saw off competition from her co-star Joanne Froggatt, who plays domestic servant Anna, to win the prize for Outstanding Supporting

Actress in a Drama Series.

The veteran star also saw off challenges from Mad Men star Christina Hendricks and The Good Wife actress Christine Baranski.

Lewis won Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his role as US soldier Nicholas Brody, who is saved from a hostage situation in the Middle East, but raises the suspicions of the FBI, who think he may have been “turned” and could present a terrorist threat on home soil.

His award kicked off a golden night for the series, which beat Downton Abbey, Mad Men and others to win the Best Drama

Series gong.

Lewis’s co-star, Claire Danes, won the award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of mentally disturbed FBI agent Carrie Mathison, beating competition from Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery among others.

Lewis saw off challenges from fellow British actor Hugh Bonneville, who stars as the Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey, Hollywood veteran Steve Buscemi and Jon Hamm, who plays Don Draper in Mad Men, among others.

Lewis said: “I’m 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. 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.”

He paid tribute to “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.”

Lewis added: “The biggest thankyou of all to the leading lady of my life, Helen McCrory. I adore you, darling, thank you for being here. My two children at home thought daddy had been nominated for an Emma. Well, Manon and Gulliver, Daddy just won an Emma.”

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.”

Scottish satirist Armando Iannucci’s new US show, Veep, missed out on the award for Outstanding Comedy Series but its star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, did take home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

But there was disappointment for a host of other Britons up for awards. Downton Abbey actors Brendan Coyle, who plays valet John Bates, and Jim Carter, the butler Carson, both missed out on the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

BBC’s Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were also overlooked 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 beaten to the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Mini-series or a Movie by Hollywood actress Julianne Moore, who won the prize for her portrayal of Sarah Palin in Game Change.

The political film from HBO was also honoured in the best mini-series category.

“I feel so validated because Sarah Palin gave me a big thumbs-down,” Moore said, beaming.

Kevin Costner was named Best Actor for History Channel’s popular mini-series, Hatfields & McCoys, while Tom Berenger was named Best Supporting Actor for the project and

Jessica Lange won Best Supporting Actress honours for American Horror Story.

Stand-up comic Louis C.K. won the Emmy for best comedy writing for Louie and for the special Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre.

The comedian said after his second win: “Thank you to audiences around the country who still go to see live comedy.”

Eric Stonestreet won his second supporting actor award in a comedy in three years, for his portrayal of a gay stay-at-home father in Modern Family

He beat three other actors from the show in Ed O’Neill,

Ty Burrell and Jesse Tyler

Ferguson.

WINNERS IN FULL

Drama Series: Homeland

Comedy Series: Modern Family

Miniseries or Movie: Game Change

Variety, Comedy or Musical Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Reality-Competition Program: The Amazing Race

Host, Reality or Reality-Competition Program: Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars

Acting

Supporting Actor, Comedy: Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Supporting Actress, Comedy: Julie Bowen, Modern Family

Guest Actor, Comedy: Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live

Guest Actress, Comedy: Kathy Bates, Two and a Half Men

Lead Actor, Comedy: Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

Lead Actress, Comedy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Supporting Actor, Drama: Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad

Supporting Actress, Drama: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

Guest Actress, Drama: Martha Plimpton, The Good Wife

Guest Actor, Drama: Jeremy Davies, Justified

Lead Actor, Drama: Damian Lewis, Homeland

Lead Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, Homeland

Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story

Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Tom Berenger, Hatfields & McCoys

Lead Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Julianne Moore, Game Change

Lead Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys

Directing

Directing, Comedy: Steve Levitan, Modern Family

Directing, Drama: Tim Van Patten, Boardwalk Empire

Directing, Variety Special: Glenn Weiss, 65th Annual Tony Awards

Directing, Miniseries or Movie: Jay Roach, Game Change

Writing

Writing, Comedy: Louis C.K., Louie

Writing, Drama: Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon and Gideon Raff, Homeland

Writing, Variety, Music or Comedy Special: Louis C.K., Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre

Writing, Miniseries or Movie: Danny Strong, Game Change