British success and a proposal on stage at memorably Emmy Awards

Claire Foy won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for The Crown (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Credit: AP/Press Association Images

British talent won big at the Emmys during a memorable ceremony which saw one winner propose on stage to his girlfriend and Game Of Thrones win the battle of the heavyweights to regain its crown.

At the most prestigious awards show in US television, Welsh star Matthew Rhys won the lead actor in a drama series prize for his role in FX’s The Americans - while English actress Claire Foy scooped the equivalent award in the female category for her portrayal of the Queen in Netflix’s The Crown.

It was Foy’s final chance to win an Emmy for her role as the Queen before she hands over to Olivia Colman for season three and she appeared visibly emotional on stage.

Foy’s co-star, Matt Smith, missed out on a supporting actor prize while Benedict Cumberbatch lost out to Rhys for lead actor.

Claire Foy won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for The Crown. Credit: PA

London-born Thandie Newton won the supporting actress in a drama series for her part in HBO’s sci-fi western Westworld, fending off competition in a category packed with British stars, including Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown, Game Of Thrones’ Lena Headey and The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby.

During her acceptance speech, Newton thanked God, even though she is an atheist.

"I don't even believe in God but I’m going to thank her tonight, I am so blessed, I am so blessed," she said.

Newton also thanked her family and particularly her daughter who was celebrating her 18th birthday on the day, Ripley, "I get to guide you and love you and protect you."

Thandie Newton said she does not believe in God but she was going to thank her. Credit: AP

Game Of Thrones - back at the Emmys after a one-year absence due to the timing of its previous season - won the prize for outstanding drama series.

HBO’s fantasy epic came out on top from a category including The Crown, Stranger Things, The Americans, This Is Us, Westworld and last year’s winner, The Handmaid’s Tale.

The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards took place in Los Angeles and provided one of the most memorable moments in recent awards show history when a director popped the question during his acceptance speech.

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys won the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for The Americans at the Emmys. Credit: AP

Glenn Weiss won the outstanding directing for a variety special and told the audience the prize was "bittersweet" because his mother had died two weeks previously.

He said his mother had "loved" his partner, Jan Svendsen, adding: "You wonder why I don’t like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife."

The room erupted into cheers before Weiss invited his partner to the stage.

He explained the ring was the same one his father had given to his mother 67 years ago before popping the question.

The crowd again erupted into loud cheers and the camera panned on to members of the audience wiping tears from their eyes.

Director Glenn Weiss proposed to his girlfriend Jan Svendsen on stage. Credit: PA

Referencing the earlier on-stage proposal during his acceptance speech, Rhys said his girlfriend Keri Lynn Russell told him, "I will punch you clean in the mouth" if he followed suit.

Elsewhere, Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs Maisel won big, scooping five gongs in the comedy categories, for supporting actress, outstanding writing, directing, lead actress and outstanding series.

Hosts for the evening Michael Che and Colin Jost opened the ceremony with jokes about alleged sexual abuse in Hollywood, following allegations against high-profile figures such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.

Che said it was an "honour to be here sharing this night with many, many talented and creative people in Hollywood", adding: "Who have not yet been caught."

Happy Days star Henry Winkler won an Emmy, 42 years after he was first nominated. Credit: AP

Happy Days star Henry Winkler won an award – 42 years after he was first nominated for an Emmy.

The veteran actor, 72, scooped the outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series gong for his role as acting coach Gene Cousineau in HBO’s Barry.

He was first nominated in 1976 for playing Arthur “the Fonz” Fonzarelli in Happy Days.

Charlie Brooker won an Emmy for the USS Callister episode of Black Mirror.

Here is a full list of all the winners:

Peter Dinklage who won an Emmy for supporting actor in the Game of Thrones. Credit: AP
  • Drama Series - Game of Thrones

  • Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Claire Foy (The Crown)

  • Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)

  • Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Thandie Newton (Westworld)

  • Writing for a Drama Series - "Start," The Americans (Written by Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg)

  • Directing for a Drama Series - "Paterfamilias," The Crown (Directed by Stephen Daldry)

  • Comedy Series - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

  • Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

  • Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Bill Hader (Barry)

  • Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Henry Winkler (Barry)

  • Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

  • Writing for a Comedy Series - 'Pilot' (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Written by Amy Sherman-Palladino

  • Directing for a Comedy Series - 'Pilot' (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Written by Amy Sherman-Palladino

  • Limited Series - The Assassination of Gianni Versace : American Crime Story

  • Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie - Regina King, Seven Seconds

  • Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie - Regina King, Seven Seconds - Darren Criss - The Assassination of Gianni Versace : American Crime Story

  • Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie - Merritt Wever, Godless

  • Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie - Jeff Daniels, Godless

  • Writing for a Limited Series or a Television Movie - USS Calister (Black Mirror) Written by William Bridges and Charlie Brooker

  • Directing for a Limited Series or a Television Movie or Dramatic Special - he Assassination of Gianni Versace : American Crime Story 'The Man who would be vogue' Directed by Ryan Murphy

  • Reality or Competition Series - RuPaul's Drag Race

  • Variety Sketch Series - Saturday Night Live

  • Variety Talk Series - Last Week Tonight