There was a definite British Invasion at the 64th Annual Emmy Awards with nominations in numerous categories for Downton Abbey, Sherlock and Luther. Having moved this year from the Drama Series category instead of the Miniseries/Movie category, Downton Abbey picked up sixteen total nominations while the brilliant Sherlock received 13 nominations.

Unfortunately, 2012 will forever be remembered as the year of ‘it was an honor to be nominated’ for the British television nominees at the 64th Emmy Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles Sunday evening. While I haven’t seen all the entries in all the categories this year, without sounding bitter, I find it difficult to understand how Sherlock was shut out across the board both in front of and behind the camera. Full disclosure…I haven’t seen Game Change, but it better be good to best both Sherlock and Luther for the best Miniseries/Movie Emmy. And, since I flat out refused to see Hatfields & McCoys all I can say is ‘Really?’ when thinking about the notion that it was Kevin Costner over Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Idris Elba (Luther) for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie category.

Thankfully, like Paris, we’ll always have the Dowager Countess. As expected (but this year, you never know until the name is read), Dame Maggie Smith won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series. One can only imagine Violet Crawley saying, “What is an Emmy? when her name was read. For the one remaining individual new to Downton Abbey, here’s a look back at why the Emmy Award voters got this one right:

Best Maggie Moments from Downton Abbey, series 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVMtffzbAwk

Best Maggie Moments from Downton Abbey, series 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbpbpvMEe4w&

In addition to Smith, British actor Damian Lewis won the Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in Showtime’s Homeland series. Lewis plays an American soldier who returns home after spending years in captivity in Iraq, and who is suspected of being a double agent.

So, congratulations to the winners, Dame Maggie Smith and Damian Lewis and congratulations to all the nominees from Team Downton Abbey, Team Sherlock and Team Luther, you represented British telly way more than the voters were willing to admit.

In: Actors/Actresses,Drama