Record-breaking fantasy epic Game of Thrones have won the Award for the best Drama series at the 2018 Emmy Awards, AFP reports.
The victory marks a return to the winner’s circle after staying on the sidelines last year due to season 7 airing too late to be eligible for the 2017 awards.
In fact, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale — which won for its debut season last year — was narrowly favored by oddsmakers to win this category again, partly due to how long its been since Thrones has been off the air (about 13 months).
The ceremony hosted by “Saturday Night Live” regulars Colin Jost and Michael Che took on a decidedly political hue, with a barrage of edgy jokes on hot-button issues such as diversity in Hollywood, #MeToo and President Donald Trump.
The gala also saw a handful of sentimental favourites take home their first Emmys.
Matthew Rhys won for best drama actor for spy thriller “The Americans,” Claire Foy was named best drama actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in “The Crown” and Henry Winkler triumphed for supporting comedy acting on “Barry.”
But the coveted drama prize went to “Game of Thrones,” which was ineligible for last year’s Emmys. Peter Dinklage took home the best supporting actor prize for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister.
“Writing for these actors behind us is the honour of a lifetime,” said series co-creator David Benioff
“But we didn’t invent these characters. That was George R.R. Martin. The show could not be without the mad genius of George.”
It won nine Emmys this year, meaning the blood-spattered tale of the battle for the Iron Throne — which returns in 2019 for an abbreviated eighth and final season — now has 47 awards overall.
That breaks the program’s own record as the most decorated fictional show since the Television Academy first handed out prizes in 1949.
