GoT takes top prize at Emmys

Los Angeles : HBO’s record-breaking fantasy epic “Game of Thrones” stormed back onto the Emmys stage on Monday, winning the coveted best drama series prize on a night full of surprises, including an on-air marriage proposal that stunned the audience. The other big story of the Hollywood gala, television’s answer to the Oscars, was the huge success of “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel,” Amazon’s story of a 1950s housewife-turned-stand up comic, which took home eight Emmys overall, including the best comedy award.

“The Handmaid’s Tale” -- last year’s best drama and an early favorite for more hardware in 2018 -- went home empty-handed from the star-studded event at the Microsoft Theatre, after winning three minor awards handed out a week ago. The ceremony hosted by “Saturday Night Live” regulars Colin Jost and Michael Che took on a decidedly political hue at the start, with a barrage of edgy jokes on hot-button issues from diversity in Hollywood to #MeToo and Donald Trump. The gala also saw several sentimental favourites take home their first Emmys.

Matthew Rhys won for best drama actor for spy thriller “The Americans,” Claire Foy was named best drama actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in “The Crown” and Henry Winkler triumphed for supporting comedy acting on “Barry.” But the coveted drama prize went to “Game of Thrones,” which was ineligible for last year’s Emmys, and series star Peter Dinklage took home the best supporting actor prize for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister.

“Writing for these actors behind us is the honour of a lifetime,” said the show’s co-creator David Benioff. “But we didn’t invent these characters. That was George R.R. Martin. The show could not be without the mad genius of George.” “GoT” won nine Emmys this year, meaning the blood-spattered cinematic tale of noble families vying for the Iron Throne -- which returns in 2019 for an abbreviated eighth and final season -- now has 47 awards overall.