Success For UK Actors in Emmy Awards

Ricky Gervais, Dame Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons and Richard Curtis were among Brits honoured at the prestigious Emmy awards. BBC drama The Girl In The Cafe picked up three of the US awards last night, and Channel 4`s Elizabeth I scooped nine, more than any other show. The 58th Annual Prime Time Emmy Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, are considered to be the "Oscars" of the television world.

Dame Helen won the outstanding lead actress accolade for the title role in Elizabeth I, and Irons won outstanding supporting actor for his portrayal of Elizabeth`s confidant, the Earl of Leicester. At the ceremony, Dame Helen, 61, said: "Without the writing we can`t do it, especially us women.

"Every one of these great performances by these great actresses in this category were revealed to us by some wonderful writing. Women are 50% of the world`s population, maybe more. and I know there are many many more brilliant performances by women of all ages and all races waiting to be revealed by some great writing so let`s look forward to that."

The US version of The Office won outstanding comedy series, honouring Gervais and his writing partner, Stephen Merchant, who are executive producers. The Girl In The Cafe was a resounding success for the BBC, which produced the movie with HBO films and Tightrope Pictures. Kelly Macdonald, known for her roles in Trainspotting and Gosford Park, picked up the outstanding actress gong for the part of Gina.

The programme also won best made-for-television movie, and its scriptwriter Richard Curtis, famous for penning Love, Actually, and Notting Hill, picked up the award for outstanding writing.

Elizabeth I, made by Channel 4 and HBO, also won best mini-series and best directing.

The BBC also picked up awards for Bleak House, Dancing With The Stars, Rome, and Before The Dinosaur at the 58th Annual Creative Arts Prime Time Emmy awards, held on August 19.

Published in full on UTV