The new Golden Age of Television is continuing its current streak of showcasing, and rewarding, innovative work. Series on streaming and cable networks, including ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ ‘Big Little Lies,’ ‘Atlanta’ and ‘Veep,’ were amongst the biggest winners at last night’s 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which were held at the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. The honorees were chosen by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Hulu’s drama show, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ which is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood, was awarded with six honors, including the coveted Best Drama Series trophy. HBO’s dark comedy-drama miniseries, ‘Big Little Lies,’ which is based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, won five Emmys, including Best Limited Series.
Netflix’s comedy show, ‘Master of None,’ made history at this year’s ceremony, as Lena Waithe became the first black woman to win a writing Emmy. Donald Glover was recognized multiple times for his work on FX’s comedy show, ‘Atlanta.’ He became the first black director to win an Emmy for directing a comedy series.
Sterling K. Brown also garnered applause from the audience for becoming the first black actor to win the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series award since 1998. The performer, who was recognized for his work on NBC’s acclaimed show, ‘This Is Us,’ followed in the footsteps of Andre Braugher, who was honored for his role on NBC’s ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ 19 years ago. Brown, who won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie last year, for his role on ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story,’ continued his acceptance speech last night, even after the house orchestra began to play music to cue him off the stage.
Other notable achievements included Julia Louis-Dreyfus winning her sixth consecutive Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy for HBO’s ‘Veep.’ The achievement has led her to have won the most Emmy Awards by a performer in the same role in a single series. Elisabeth Moss also made history for winning her first Emmy Award for her starring role on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ She was previously nominated six times for her roles on ‘Top of the Lake’ and ‘Mad Men.’
Check out some of the highlights of the winners from the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards below.
Best Drama Series
The Handmaid’s Tale (WINNER)
Better Call Saul
The Crown
House of Cards
Stranger Things
This Is Us
Westworld
Best Comedy Series
Veep (WINNER)
Atlanta
Black-ish
Master of None
Modern Family
Silicon Valley
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Best Limited Series
Big Little Lies (WINNER)
Fargo
Feud: Bette and Joan
Genius
The Night Of
Best TV Movie
Black Mirror: San Junipero (WINNER)
Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Sherlock: The Lying Detective
The Wizard of Lies
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Tale (WINNER)
Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Claire Foy, The Crown
Keri Russell, The Americans
Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us (WINNER)
Anthony Hopkins, Westworld
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (WINNER)
Pamela Adlon, Better Things
Jane Fonda, Grace and Frankie
Allison Janney, Mom
Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Donald Glover, Atlanta (WINNER)
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Aziz Ansari, Master of None
Zach Galifianakis, Baskets
William H. Macy, Shameless
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies (WINNER)
Carrie Coon, Fargo
Felicity Huffman, American Crime
Jessica Lange, Feud: Bette and Joan
Susan Sarandon, Feud: Bette and Joan
Reese Witherspoon, Big Little Lies
Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Riz Ahmed, The Night Of (WINNER)
Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: The Lying Detective
Robert DeNiro, The Wizard of Lies
Ewan McGregor, Fargo
Geoffrey Rush, Genius
John Turturro, The Night Of
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Ann Dowd, The Handmaid’s Tale (WINNER)
Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black
Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things
Chrissy Metz, This Is Us
Thandie Newton, Westworld
Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Tale
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
John Lithgow, The Crown (WINNER)
Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul
Ron Cephas Jones, This Is Us
David Harbour, Stranger Things
Michael Kelly, House of Cards
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
Jeffrey Wright, Westworld
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live (WINNER)
Vanessa Bayer, Saturday Night Live
Anna Chlumsky, Veep
Kathryn Hahn, Transparent
Leslie Jones, Saturday Night Live
Judith Light, Transparent
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, Saturday Night Live (WINNER)
Louie Anderson, Baskets
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Tony Hale, Veep
Matt Walsh, Veep
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Laura Dern, Big Little Lies (WINNER)
Judy Davis, Feud: Bette and Joan
Jackie Hoffman, Feud: Bette and Joan
Regina King, American Crime
Michelle Pfeiffer, The Wizard of Lies
Shailene Woodley, Big Little Lies
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Alexander Skarsgard, Big Little Lies (WINNER)
Bill Camp, The Night Of
Alfred Molina, Feud: Bette and Joan
David Thewlis, Fargo
Stanley Tucci, Feud: Bette and Joan
Michael K. Williams, The Night Of
Best Directing for a Comedy Series
Donald Glover, Atlanta (WINNER)
Jamie Babbit, Silicon Valley
Morgan Sackett, Veep
David Mandel, Veep
Dale Stern, Veep
Best Writing for a Comedy Series
Aziz Ansari, Lena Waithe, Master of None (WINNER)
Donald Glover, Atlanta
Stephen Glover, Atlanta
Alec Berg, Silicon Valley
Billy Kimball, Veep
David Mandel, Veep