Sunday night’s annual Emmy Awards saw US network HBO reaching for the TV crown. The ceremony is television’s equivalent of the Oscars, a night to celebrate TV itself. And after bagging a total of 43 Emmy’s, HBO were certainly celebrating!
Game of Thrones blew previous records out of the water, racking up a total of 12 awards from its 24 nominations; the most any series has ever won in one single year. For the first time in its six season history, the medieval fantasy epic stole the Best Drama series award, as well as the award for Best Directing and Best Writing. A stunned and emotional Peter Dinklage took home an Emmy for his performance as the witty and cunning Tyrion Lannister. This is the second time that Dinklage has won the Outstanding Supporting Actor prize. In his speech, he thanked Game of Thrones novelist George R.R. Martin, who fittingly celebrated his 67th birthday alongside the 67th anniversary of the ceremony.
HBO also managed to claim the best comedy series Emmy for Veep, and several awards for Olive Kitteridge, a program adapted from Elizabeth Stout’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel. These included best mini-series and multiple wins for cast members.
All in all, it was a huge night for HBO. For this year at least, they appear to have won the game of the TV throne, and have left all other competing networks in their wake.