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.
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.
Emmy Award Winners 2012
