Claire Foy triumphs in an Emmys full of British winners

Claire Foy led an Emmy awards big on Brits on Monday night as she took home the gong for best actress in a drama for her portrayal of The Queen in The Crown. 

Foy beat favourite, The Handmaid’s Tale's Elizabeth Moss, to win her first ever Emmy. “This wasn’t supposed to happen,” said a surprised Foy.

The 34-year-old smoothed over the pay gap controversy that arose earlier in the year between her and co-star Matt Smith in her speech, saying: “I dedicate this to the next cast, the next generation. And I also dedicate this to Matt Smith.” Foy will be replaced by Olivia Colman as the cast changes for seasons three and four of The Crown, in which their central characters age. 

Other British winners included Matthew Rhys, the Welsh star of The Americans, who won best leading actor in a drama series. “Parts like these come along so rarely. I will forever be in your debt,” he told Joe Weisberg in his speech. The Americans tells the story of two KGB spies in an arranged marriage who must pose as Americans in Washington DC in the wake of Ronald Reagan’s election. 

Westworld’s Thandie Newton also took home her first Emmy award, for best supporting actress in a drama series. It’s the first Emmy in two nominations for Newton. She was also nominated for her Westworld role as android madam Maeve Millay in 2017. “I don’t even believe in God but I’m going to thank her tonight,” the actress said as she took to the stage to collect her trophy. She caused a flutter of controversy after accidentally swearing, inducing much supportive mirth from the crowd.

Elsewhere, Charlie Brooker and William Bridges collected best writing for a limited series for Black Mirror, while John Oliver won best variety talk series for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Beyond the Brits, Game of Thrones and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel won the top prizes at the Emmy awards on Monday on a night of upsets for the highest honours in television and a triumph for streaming services.

Dystopian female show The Handmaid’s Tale and FX’s surreal hip-hop comedy Atlanta were the biggest losers, taking none of the most prestigious awards and making a disappointing night for stars Elisabeth Moss and Donald Glover.

HBO’s medieval fantasy Game of Thrones won a total of nine Emmys, including technical awards for special effects and stunts, and was named best drama series for a third time, beating last year’s champion The Handmaid’s Tale.

Netflix, which had a leading 112 nominations going into the Emmys, ended up tying HBO for the most wins, with 23 apiece.

Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, about a 1950s housewife who turns to stand-up comedy, took home the Emmy for best comedy series. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel won a total of seven other awards, including best actress for Rachel Brosnahan.

The main award winners:

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

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

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

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

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, Movie or Dramatic Special - William Bridges and Charlie Brooker (Black Mirror episode USS Callister)

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie - Regina King (Seven Seconds)

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie - Darren Criss (The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)

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

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

Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Matthew Rhys (The Americans)

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

Outstanding Limited Series - The Assassination 0f Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Outstanding Comedy Series - The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Outstanding Drama Series - Game Of Thrones