The Brits may have swept up a good number of nominations for Donwton Abbey and Sherlock Holmes, but it was Homeland lead Damian Lewis who took home the big prize for the UK with an Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series award. "I'm one of those pesky Brits, I apologize," Lewis said as he took to the stage. "I don't really believe in judging art, but I thought I'd show up just in case."

Lewis directed the bulk of his gratitude to the ladies in his life. "The cast that I work with, who are delightful and enjoyable to dine with, but especially to the two ladies who've suffered me the most: Claire Danes and Morena Baccarin. You're both beautiful and it's enjoyable working with you, every minute of it,” Lewis said. "The biggest thank you of all to the leading lady of my life, Helen McCrory. I adore you, darling. Thank you for being here."

But Lewis has said that the show's success doesn't hinge on the acting, but rather the issue at its core. “The best shows succeed because they tap into a national conversation,” Lewis told the Los Angeles Times. “[Homeland] isn’t a social document; it’s a thriller. But there are a lot of issues that suffuse the piece and that’s what make it so haunting and scary for people.”

Dame Maggie Smith, the only other winning Brit, was not present to accept her Best Supporting Actress award for her Downton Abbey role as Countess of Grantham — the only prize won by the show despite 16 nominations. Sherlock Holmes' Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman missed out on their Lead and Supporting Actor awards, respectively.

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