Emmys: Win for Brits Dame Maggie Smith and Damian Lewis

Sarah Shaffi Monday, September 24, 2012
8:31 AM

One of Britain’s best known actresses beat a co-star to bring home an award from the Emmys.

Dame Maggie Smith won Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series for her portrayal of the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey at last ngiht’s Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.

She beat co-star Joanne Froggatt, who plays servant Anna, and Mad Men star Christina Hendricks and The Good Wife actress Christine Baranski, among others.

Another British win came from Damian Lewis, who won Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series for his role as US soldier Nicholas Brody in Homeland, which picked up a number of gongs on the night, including Best Drama Series and Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series for Claire Danes.

In his acceptance speech Lewis, who beat fellow Brit 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, 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.

“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.

“My two children at home thought daddy had been nominated for an Emma. Well, Manon and Gulliver, Daddy just won an Emma.”

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 gong for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series.

But there was disappointment for other Brits. Downton Abbey actors Brendan Coyle, who plays valet John Bates, and Jim Carter, who plays the butler Carson, both missed out on Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series.

BBC’s Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman also were surpassed on 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.