Golden Globes: Downton Abbey proves Global phenomenon

DOWNTON Abbey’s success at the Golden Globes will further bolster the success of ITV and help promote British-made programmes around the world, industry sources said last night.

The period drama, which follows the lives and relationships of the family and servants of the Earl of Grantham’s household, won a Golden Globe for best mini series at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

The show has been screened in 200 countries, including the US, Spain and Australia, and DVD sales are worth millions of pounds. The programme’s success has already boosted ITV’s advertising profits which tripled last year – in what has been called the “Downton Bounce”.

Downton Abbey’s creator Julian Fellowes said: “How fabulous this is. The whole Downton adventure has been an extraordinary one. Like spotting a promising child and waking up to find they’ve have won the Olympics – and that’s what we’ve lived through.

“Winning a Golden Globe is thrilling and a great honour.  We couldn’t be more delighted.”

Margaret Scott, business and production executive for Shed Production Scotland, said the success of Downton Abbey was good news for British television. She said: “I think there has always been an aptitude for making good, high-quality costume dramas in the UK, although they did tend to be associated with BBC rather than ITV.

“But it is fantastic that a UK drama has been given this sort of award and hopefully it will create opportunities for us all.”

Actress Elizabeth McGovern, who plays the Countess of Grantham, said the success of the show in the US was a thrill.

“It’s an escape into a world that is simpler, that is beautiful, that is full of drama and intrigue and humour.”

McGovern was beaten to the best TV actress award by Titanic star Kate Winslet for her performance in HBO’s Mildred Pierce, while Idris Elba beat Downton’s Hugh Bonneville, scooping the best actor award for his role in BBC1 crime drama Luther.

Tilda Swinton lost out for the third year running, after being nominated for We Need to Talk About Kevin. The award for best actress went to multi-award winner Meryl Streep, for her portrayal of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. In her acceptance speech Streep thanked “‘everybody in England that let me come and trample over their history”.

• The Current style blog: Our top fashion picks from the 2012 Golden Globes

Comedian Ricky Gervais presented the award for the third year in succession, despite criticism over his irreverent comments about some of Hollywood’s biggest stars last year.

He said: “The Globes are just like the Oscars, but without all that esteem. The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. Bit louder, bit trashier, bit drunker, and more easily bought.”

A big winner was The Artist, a film celebrating the art of silent movies. Michel Hazanavicius’s tale of 1920s Hollywood picked up three awards, including best film (muscial or comedy) and best actor (musical or comedy) for its star Jean Dujardin. It is now tipped to pick up the Oscar next month for best picture.

The main competition is said to come from The Descendants, which won best film (drama) and also picked up a best actor award for George Clooney.

Other winners were Michelle Williams, who was named best actress (comedy or musical) for her role in My Week with Marilyn; The Adventures of Tintin, which won the best animated feature category, and the Iranian drama A Separation, which won the award for best foreign language film.

Martin Scorsese won best director for his 3D fantasy Hugo and Woody Allen took the best screenplay prize for Midnight in Paris.

THE NIGHT’S BIG WINNERS

Best film (drama): The Descendants

Best film (comedy or musical): The Artist

Best actor (drama): George Clooney – The Descendants

Best actress (comedy or musical): Jean Dujardin - The Artist

Best actress (drama): Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady

Best actress (comedy or musical): Michelle Williams – My week with Marilyn

Best actor (mini series): Idris Elba – Luther

Best actress (mini series): Kate Winslet – Mildred Pierce

Best television mini series: Downton Abbey

Best supporting actor: Christopher Plummer – Beginners.

Best supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer – The Help.

Foreign Language: A Separation.

Animated Film: The Adventures of Tintin.

Screenplay: Woody Allen – Midnight in Paris.

Original Score: Ludovic Bource – The Artist.

Original Song: Masterpiece (music & lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry) – W.E.