Emmys 2021: The Crown and Ted Lasso dominate awards on big night for British talent
ITV News Arts Editor Nina Nannar reports on the British domination at the Emmys
The Crown, Ted Lasso and The Queen’s Gambit dominated Sunday night's Emmy Awards on a triumphant night for British stars.
Olivia Colman broke down in tears while paying tribute to her late father following her Emmy Award win for outstanding lead actress in a drama series.
The British actress, 47, won for her role as the Queen in season four of Netflix's The Crown which scooped outstanding drama series at the fourth attempt.
“I’d have put money on that not happening,” she said after hearing her name called.
“What a lovely end to the most extraordinary journey with this lovely family. I loved every second of it and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
Speaking from an event in London surrounded by many of her The Crown co-stars and its creative team Ms Colman's voice cracked during the speech as she paid tribute to her father, Keith, who she said died during the pandemic.
“I’m going to be very quick because I’m very teary. I wish my dad was here to see this,” she said. “I lost my daddy during Covid and he would have loved all of this.”
Josh O’Connor won the outstanding drama actor award for his portrayal of the Prince of Wales and accepted the honour at the star-studded ceremony in downtown Los Angeles.
Mr O’Connor, 31, paid tribute to Emma Corrin, describing the actress as a “force of nature” for her turn as Diana, Princess of Wales.
Ms Corrin, 25, was nominated alongside Colman, 47.
The Crown’s supporting stars also won, with Gillian Anderson and Tobias Menzies being recognised for playing Margaret Thatcher and the Duke of Edinburgh respectively.
Star and creator of hard-hitting sexual assault drama I May Destroy You, Michaela Coel, was recognised for her writing on the limited series.
The Londoner delivered a powerful acceptance speech after winning her first ever Emmy Award.
Ms Coel, 33, shared a message for her fellow writers before finishing with a tribute for survivors of assault.
Reading from a piece of paper, she said: “Write the tale that scares you. That makes you feel uncertain. That isn’t comfortable. I dare you.
“In a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others to help us better determine how we feel about ourselves, and to in turn feel the need to be constantly visible – for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success – do not be afraid to disappear from it, from us, for a while and see what comes to you in the silence.”
Ms Coel, who was also nominated in the acting categories, added: “I dedicate this story to every single survivor of sexual assault.”
Ms Coel was just one of two black winners alongside RuPaul for RuPaul’s Drag Race despite a record number of nominees of colour.
Actress, dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen, 71, became the first black woman to be honoured with the governor’s award, the TV Academy’s lifetime achievement prize.
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Kate Winslet triumphed in one of the most competitive categories – outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie.
The decorated star was recognised for playing a vape-smoking small-town detective in Mare Of Easttown, one of the year’s most talked about dramas.
Accepting her prize, Winslet said the decade must be about “women having each other’s backs”.
She thanked Brad Ingelsby, Mare Of Easttown’s creator, for writing a lead character who is a “middle-aged, imperfect, flawed mother”, adding “you made us all feel validated”.
In the comedy categories, feel-good football series Ted Lasso was the big winner, being crowned outstanding comedy series.
In one of the night’s least surprising moments, the show’s star Jason Sudeikis won outstanding comedy actor for his portrayal of a folksy American football coach parachuted in to manage a struggling English Premier League club.
Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series went to a delighted Hannah Waddingham for playing Premier League club owner Rebecca Welton.
The British star, 47, was overjoyed upon taking to the stage and tearfully exclaimed, “Jesus Christ on a bike” as she clutched her first-ever Emmy statuette.
She paid tribute to co-star and fellow nominee Juno Temple, saying she wished she could share the prize with her.
Briton Brett Goldstein won outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of cantankerous club captain Roy Kent.
The 41-year-old said starring in the show had been “one of the greatest honours” of his life.
Scottish actor Ewan McGregor won outstanding lead actor in a limited series for playing a fashion designer in Halston.