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Game of Thrones reigns with record 12 Emmy awards

Writers D. B. Weiss, left, David Benioff, and the cast and crew of Game of Thrones accept the award for outstanding drama series at the Emmy Awards. Picture by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Writers D. B. Weiss, left, David Benioff, and the cast and crew of Game of Thrones accept the award for outstanding drama series at the Emmy Awards. Picture by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Writers D. B. Weiss, left, David Benioff, and the cast and crew of Game of Thrones accept the award for outstanding drama series at the Emmy Awards. Picture by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

NORTHERN Ireland-based TV phenomenon Game Of Thrones has celebrated a record 12 prizes at the Emmy Awards.

The show won eight gongs at last week's Creative Emmy Awards, and then went on to scoop a further four at the main star-studded ceremony held in Los Angeles.

Actor Peter Dinklage, who plays Tyrion Lannister, won outstanding supporting actor in a drama series at the annual television awards.

The sword and sorcery series, which is filmed in Belfast and several other locations across the north, also picked up the prestigious outstanding drama series award.

Dinklage embraced co-star Lena Headey, who plays Queen Cersei Lannister, and told the packed crowd: "I was chewing gum, I wasn't prepared because the other actors in my category awe me with their performances."

The show also won outstanding directing for a drama series (David Nutter, Mother's Mercy) and outstanding writing for a drama series (David Benioff and DB Weiss).

American shows Veep and Olive Kitteridge were among the big winners of the night but ITV costume drama Downton Abbey walked away empty-handed.

Success was also sweet for How To Get Away With Murder's Viola Davis and Mad Men star Jon Hamm.

Davis made Emmy history by becoming the first black woman to win the outstanding lead actress in a drama series award.

She quoted 19th century African-American abolitionist Harriet Tubman, saying: "In my mind, I see a line. And over that line I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me over that line.

"But I can't seem to get there no how. I can't seem to get over that line."

Davis said: "The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone is opportunity. You cannot win Emmys for roles that are not there."

Hamm finally scored the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series after seven previous nominations for the hit show and tripped over on his way up to the stage.

Collecting his award, he said: "There has been a terrible mistake clearly. It is impossible to named with all those extraordinary gentlemen, it's impossible to be up here and to have done this show with these incredible people".

British writers Armando Iannucci, Simon Blackwell and Tony Roche were awarded outstanding writing for a comedy series for their script for the election night episode of the political comedy, Veep.

It was also named outstanding comedy series in the penultimate award of the night.

Collecting the gong, creator Iannucci said: "If Veep is about one thing it's about hope, hope that anyone in America, no matter their background, their race, their creed, can just miss out on getting the top job. Or they can get it if their boss is mentally incapacitated or killed."