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‘Game of Thrones’ takes top prize at surprising Emmys

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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 Theater, 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 favorites 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 honor 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.


That breaks the program’s own record as the most decorated fictional show since the Television Academy first handed out prizes in 1949.


‘Mrs Maisel’ breaks through -


In the comedy categories, “Mrs Maisel” bested all comers in its first year of eligibility, sweeping the female acting prizes (star Rachel Brosnahan and co-star Alex Borstein) and best series honors.


Earlier this year, “Maisel” won two Golden Globes.


“One of the things I love the most about this show... it’s about a woman who is finding her voice anew,” Brosnahan said.


“It’s something that’s happening all over the country right now. One of the most important ways that we can find and use our voices is to vote. So if you haven’t already registered, do it on your cell phone right now.”


HBO dark comedy “Barry” notched two acting wins — for Winkler and series star Bill Hader.


Drama showdown -


Other big winners included FX’s “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” which won Emmys for best limited series and an acting prize for Darren Criss, who earned rave reviews for his dark turn as the designer’s killer Andrew Cunanan.


Thandie Newton won the best supporting actress in a drama statuette for her work on HBO’s futuristic western “Westworld.”


“I don’t even believe in God but I’m going to thank her tonight,” Newton quipped.


“Saturday Night Live” won the award for best variety sketch series.


In the emerging battle of traditional networks vs new platforms, streaming giant Netflix and HBO ended in a dead heat at the top — at 23 Emmys each. — AFP


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