Stars of Baby Reindeer, The Bear, Shogun and The Crown win at the 2024 Emmys

“Baby Reindeer,” the hugely popular but controversial British TV hit, took the Emmy Awards by storm, winning four trophies at the ceremony in Los Angeles.

The creator and star of the show, Scottish comedian Richard Gaddwon three of them – for acting, writing and executive producing the show.

His co-star Jessica Gunningwho played the stalker Martha, won the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries.

“Oh my goodness, you fucking bastards,” she said as she accepted the award.

“Thank you so much. I really feel like I'm going to wake up any minute and this whole thing was just a dream.”

Gadd's account of being stalked by a woman for several years and sexually abused by a male television star was the most talked about show this year.

However, the story's claim to be “a true story” has caused controversy, and the woman who allegedly served as the real-life inspiration for Gunning's character is currently suing Netflix for defamation, negligence and invasion of privacy.

Accepting his award for best miniseries screenplay, Gadd told the audience, “Ten years ago, I was at rock bottom.

“I never thought I would ever get my life back on track. I never thought I could make up for what happened to me and get back on my feet.

“And here I am, a little over a decade later, accepting one of the most important awards for my screenplay on television.

“I don't mean that to sound arrogant. I mean it as an encouragement to everyone who is going through a difficult time to persevere.”

Before the ceremony, he told BBC's Emma Vardy that the British media had focused too much on the aftermath of the show.

When asked if he would have done anything differently in retrospect, he replied: “I can't really answer that at the moment, because you can't change the past.”

“The past has happened and the show has had a phenomenal effect on people. I think there is, particularly in the British press, this incredible focus on the negative.

“But you can't ignore the positive impact of Baby Reindeer. It was number one in countries like Lebanon and Qatar and places where you never thought it would break through. It had a cross-cultural impact that very few shows have.”

In the comedy category, The Bear won three acting awards, including Best Comedy Actor for Jeremy Allen Whitewhich Carmy plays, for the second time in a row.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richie) and Liza Colon-Zayas (Tina) won the supporting award, with the latter seeming overwhelmed to have beaten legends like Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett.

“To all the Latinas who are looking to me, keep believing and go vote – vote for your rights,” she said in her acceptance speech.

The show, which is set in a restaurant kitchen with high work pressure, caused a stir again because it was nominated in the comedy category rather than the drama category.

Perhaps that, along with the lukewarm reception of the final season, is why The Bear lost the award for Best Comedy Series – the final category of the night and the biggest surprise.

Instead, this prize went to Hackingwhich follows the love-hate relationship between an experienced comedian and her younger writer.

And Hacks Star Jean-Marie Schneider was named Best Actress in a Comedy Role – her third Emmy for her role as Deborah in the series and her sixth Emmy overall – ahead of Ayo Edebiri (Sydney) from “The Bear,” who won the award last year.

In the Drama category, Australia’s Elisabeth Debicki won her first Emmy for best drama actress for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the final season of the Netflix series “The Crown.”

“It was a great honor and gift for me to play the role of this incomparable, incredible human being,” she said.

However, her victory was the only one for the swan song of “The Crown”.

In the other drama categories, Japanese historical epics dominated Shogun.

The show had already broken the record for most Emmy wins in a single year after taking home 14 awards at the Creative Arts Emmys last weekend, mostly for behind-the-scenes achievements.

Four more trophies were added at the main event, including that for Best Drama Series – the first non-English language show to win this prestigious award.

There were also awards for best acting performances to Japanese actors Hiroyuki Sanada (Yoshii Toranaga) and Anna-Lena Schröder (Happy Birthday).

Executive producer Justin Marks thanked the show's backers, including Disney, Hulu and FX. “You greenlit a very expensive subtitled Japanese historical drama whose central climax revolves around a poetry contest,” he said.

“I have no idea why you did this, but thank you for your trust in this incredible team.”

Sanada, who was also a producer, gave part of his speech in Japanese. “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the staff, directors and masters who have continued and supported our samurai dramas to this day,” he said.

“The passion and dreams we inherited from you have crossed oceans and borders. Thank you!”

Elsewhere, Billy Crudup won the award for Best Supporting Actor for The Morning Show, while Jodie Foster won Best Actress in a Miniseries for True Detective: Night Country.

The successful British talents also included a TV presenter John Oliverwhich won the award for best variety series, and Will Smithwho won the award for best drama for “Slow Horses”.

The moderator The Traitors Alan Cumming received the show's trophy for best reality competition show, beating out RuPaul's Drag Race, which had won the category in five of the last six years.

Cumming was also named best reality competition host at the Creative Arts Emmys last weekend.

Sunday's ceremony was the crowning conclusion to a busy week for the television presenter and actor. which was also just announced as the new artistic director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland.