Damian Lewis was a very popular winner on Emmy night, taking home his award for Best Leading Actor in a Drama Series for his role of Nicholas Brody in Homeland.

"I don't really believe in judging art, but I thought I'd show up just in case," he told the audience. "Turned out all right."

Homeland won in four leading categories, including Best Drama Series and gongs for both its lead roles

Lewis beat a strong field including eternal Emmy bridesmaid Jon Hamm for Mad Men, and critics' favourite Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad. Sadly for Downton Abbey fans, he also beat our own Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham.

In Homeland, Lewis's character Brody is a marine captured while on a tour of duty, who is turned against the United States by his captors and returns home, intent on revenge for the death of his chief captor's son. The end of the first series saw him fail to blow up American government officials, and apparently set on taking political office instead.

HUFFPOST REPORTS: 5 Reasons We Love Homeland...

Lewis's actress wife Helen McRory was in the audience to cheer him on. The couple were also guests at the White House earlier in the year for the prime minister's state visit. Homeland is reported to be President Obama's favourite TV show.

Lewis's co-star Claire Danes didn't go without her own gong

His co-star Claire Danes joined him on the winners' plinth, repeating her success at the Golden Globes by taking home the Award for Best Leading Actress, while the show's writers were also winners on the night.

Danes' win meant Downton's Michelle Dockery, the only British actress in the category, also went home empty-handed. Danes also beat Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Kathy Bates (Harry's Law) and Glenn Close (Damages).

Homeland won four major awards in all, including Outstanding Drama Series, which meant it stopped Mad Men earning a record fifth trophy.

The second series of Homeland begins next week.

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• Eric Stonestreet - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

  Eric Stonestreet accepts the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for "Modern Family" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Louis C.K - Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

  Actor/writer Louis CK accepts Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series award for "Louie" onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• Julie Bowen - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

  Actress Julie Bowen speaks onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)

• Steven Levitan - Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

  Director Steven Levitan poses in the press room with his Outstanding Directing award at the 64th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles, California September 23, 2012.

• Jon Cryer - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

  Jon Cryer, winner of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series poses in the press room during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

• Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

  Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the press room at the 64th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles, California September 23, 2012. Louis-Dreyfus won Outstanding Lead Actress for her role in Veep.

• Tom Bergeron - Outstanding Hot for a Reality Program

  Television host Tom Bergeron, winner Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program for "Dancing with the Stars," poses in the press room during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

• "The Amazing Race" - Outstanding Reality-Competition

  (L-R) Producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Elise Doganieri, Bertram van Munster and Jonathan Littman, winners Outstanding Reality-Competition Program for "The Amazing Race," pose in the press room during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• Aaron Paul - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  Actor Aaron Paul accepts Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series award for "Breaking Bad" onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• "Homeland" - Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

  (L-R) Writers Gideon Raff, Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa accept Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series award for "Homeland" onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• Damian Lewis - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

  Damian Lewis poses in the press room with his Outsanding Lead Actor in "Homeland" at the 64th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles, California September 23, 2012.

• Claire Danes - Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

  Actress Claire Danes speaks onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)

• Louis C.K. - Outstanding Writer for a Variety Show

  Actor Louis C.K. speaks onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• "The Daily Show" - Outstanding Variety Series

  TV Personality Jon Stewart and cast of crew of The Daily Show accept their award onstage during the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• Jessica Lange - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

  Actress Jessica Lange accepts Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie award for "American Horror Story" onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• Tom Berenger - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie

  Actor Tom Berenger onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• Julianne Moore - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

  LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Actress Julianne Moore accepts Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for "Game Change" onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• Glenn Weiss - Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special

  Director Glenn Weiss accepts the Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special Award for 65th Tony Awards during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• Jay Roach - Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or Movie

  Director Jay Roach speaks onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• Kevin Costner - Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or Movie

  Actor Kevin Costner speaks onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• Danny Strong - Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or Movie

  Writer Danny Strong poses in the press room at the 64th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles, California September 23, 2012. Strong won for Outstanding Writing Miniseries or Movie for Game Change. The movie won the Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie.

• "Game Change" - Outstanding Miniseries or Movie

  Producer Tom Hanks accepts Outstanding Miniseries or TV Movie award for "Game Change" onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• "Homeland" - Outstanding Drama Series

  Cast and crew of Homland accept their award onstage during the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

• "Modern Family" - Outstanding Comedy series

  Producer Steve Levitan (holding award) and cast and crew of 'Modern Family' speak onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

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• Damien Lewis

  Actor Damien Lewis, winner of the Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series award for "Homeland," poses backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Damien Lewis

  Actor Damien Lewis, winner Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series for "Homeland", poses backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Damian Lewis

  Damian Lewis accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series for "Homeland" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Damian Lewis

  Damian Lewis walks onstage to accept the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Homeland" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Christina Hendricks

  Actress Christina Hendricks arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Zooey Deschanel

  Actress Zooey Deschanel arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Lucy Liu

  Lucy Liu arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Tina Fey

  Actress Tina Fey arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Tina Fey

  Actress Tina Fey arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Ellen DeGeneres

  Actress Ellen DeGeneres arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Ricky Gervais, Jane Fallon

  Actor Ricky Gervais, left and Jane Fallon arrive at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Jane Krakowski

  Actress Jane Krakowski arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Lucy Liu

  Actress Lucy Liu arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Michelle Dockery

  Actress Michelle Dockery arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Zachary Quinto

  Actor Zachary Quinto arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Zachary Quinto

  Actor Zachary Quinto arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Mindy Kaling, Melissa McCarthy

  Mindy Kaling, left, and Melissa McCarthy present an award onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Ricky Gervais, Jane Fallon

  Actor-comedian Ricky Gervais, left and Jane Fallon arrive at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Julianna Margulies, Damian Lewis

  Julianna Margulies, right, presents the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series to Damian Lewis for "Homeland" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Damian Lewis

  Damian Lewis accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Homeland" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Claire Danes

  Claire Danes accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series for "Homeland" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Claire Danes

  Actress Claire Danes, winner Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series for ‘Homeland’, poses backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Morena Baccarin

  Actress Morena Baccarin arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Ricky Gervais

  Ricky Gervais presents an award onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Steve Buscemi, Jo Andres

  Actor Steve Buscemi, left and wife Jo Andres arrive at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Melissa McCarthy

  Actress Melissa McCarthy arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone

  Actress Melissa McCarthy, left and actor Ben Falcone arrive at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner

  Actor Kevin Costner, left and wife Christine Baumgartner arrive at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Lucy Liu, Julianne Moore

  Lucy Liu, left, presents the award for outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie to Julianne Moore for "Game Change" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Julianne Moore

  Julianne Moore accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or Movie for "Game Change" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Peter Dinklage

  Actor Peter Dinklage arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Peter Dinklage, Erica Schmidt

  Actor Peter Dinklage, left and wife Erica Schmidt arrive at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Anna Gunn

  Actress Anna Gunn arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Julianne Moore

  Actress Julianne Moore, winner of the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries or Movie award for "Game Change," onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Julianne Moore

  Actress Julianne Moore, winner of the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries or Movie for "Game Change", poses backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Michael J. Fox

  Michael J. Fox presents an award onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Tom Hanks

  Tom Hanks accept the award for outstanding miniseries or movie for "Game Change" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Julianne Moore

  Actress Julianne Moore, winner Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries or Movie for "Game Change", poses backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Julianne Moore

  Actress Julianne Moore, winner Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries or Movie for ‘Game Change’, backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Julianne Moore, Tom Hanks

  Actress Julianne Moore, left and producer Tom Hanks winner Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries or Movie for ‘Game Change’, pose backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner

  Actor Kevin Costner, winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries or Movie for "Hatfields & McCoys", and wife Christine Baumgartner, pose backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Nolan Gould, Ariel Winter, Rico Rodriguez, Sarah Hyland

  From left, Actors Nolan Gould, Ariel Winter, Rico Rodriguez, and Sarah Hyland, from the Outstanding Comedy Series award-winning series "Modern Family," pose backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Bruce Rosenblum, Ellen DeGeneres

  Bruce Rosenblum, chairman of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, left, and Ellen DeGeneres, speak onstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

• Claire Danes, Damien Lewis,

  Actress Claire Danes, winner of the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for "Homeland," left, and actor Damien Lewis, winner of the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Homeland" pose together backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Kevin Costner

  Actor Kevin Costner, winner of the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie for "Hatfields & McCoys," poses backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Danny Strong

  Writer Danny Strong, winner of the Emmy for outstanding writing for miniseries or movie for "Game Change", poses backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Kevin Costner, Tom Bergenger

  Actor Kevin Costner, left, winner of the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie for "Hatfields & McCoys" and actor Tom Berenger, winner of the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or a movie for "Hatfields & McCoys", pose together backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Jay Roach, Danny Strong, Julianne Moore

  From left, Director Jay Roach, writer Danny Strong, and Actress Julianne Moore, pose backstage with the awards they won for the HBO movie "Game Change," at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

• Sofia Vergara, Steven Levitan

  Actress Sofia Vergara, left and director Steven Levitan, winner of the Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series award for "Modern Family," pose backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

• Aaron Paul, Lauren Parsekian

  Actor Aaron Paul, winner of the Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series award for "Breaking Bad", and Lauren Parsekian arrive at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

• Damien Lewis, Claire Danes

  Actor Damien Lewis, left, winner of the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Homeland" and actress Claire Danes, winner of the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series, also for "Homeland", pose backstage at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)