Thrones, Fleabag win big, while Billy Porter makes history

LOSANGELES: Game of Thrones resurrected the Iron Throne at Sunday’s Emmy ceremony, ruling as top drama on a night of surprises in which Pose star Billy Porter made history and the comedy series Fleabag led a British invasion that overturned expectations.

Porter, who stars in the FX drama set in the LGBTQ ball scene of the late 20th century, became the first openly gay man to win a best drama series acting Emmy . “I’m so overjoyed and so overwhelmed to have lived to see this day,” said an exuberant Porter, resplendent in a sparkling suit and swooping hat. Amazon’s Fleabag, a dark comedy about a dysfunctional woman, was honoured as best comedy and earned writing and top acting honours for its British creator and star, Phoebe WallerBridge, as well as a best director trophy.

“This is getting ridiculous,” Waller-bridge said in her third trip to the stage to collect the top trophy. Her acting win blocked Veep star Julia LouisDreyfus from setting a record as the most-honoured performer in Emmy history. Fleabag’s showing denied a fond farewell for its final season. In accepting the writing award, she called the Emmy recognition proof that “a dirty, pervy, messed-up woman can make it to the Emmys.”

English actress Jodie Comer was honoured as best drama actress for Killing Eve. She competed with co-star Sandra Oh, who received a Golden Globe for her role and would have been the first actress of Asian descent to win an Emmy in the category. Bill Hader won his second consecutive best comedy actor award for the hit man comedy Barry.

Peter Dinklage, named best supporting actor for Game of Thrones, set a record for most wins for the same role, four, breaking a tie with Aaron Paul of Breaking Bad. Ozark star Julia Garner won the best supporting drama actress trophy against a field including four actresses from Game of Thrones. The auditorium erupted in cheers when Jharrel Jerome of When They See Us, about the Central Park Five case , won the best actor award for a limited series movie.

It was the only honour for the acclaimed Netflix series of the evening; Chernobyl won the best limited series honour.

HBO retained its durable front-runner status with the help of Game of Thrones’ record-tying 12 wins. The channel had a total of 34 awards from Sunday and last weekend’s creative arts ceremony. But streaming hit new Emmy heights, powered by Amazon Prime winners Fleabag, ‘The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and A Very English Scandal and Netflix’s Bandersnatch (Black Mirror), honored as best movie. AP