America was brought to a standstill by AMC’s incredible series Breaking Bad last night as the hit show premiered its stunning penultimate episode. Given the huge acclaim for the series since returning to our screens recently, it was rather humbling to see the show gain recognition on another channel as it received two key gongs at the 2013 Emmy Awards.

It deservedly clinched the Best Drama Series award at the expense of other successful US shows including Game of Thrones, Homeland and Mad Men as well as our own Downton Abbey. There was also a Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series prize for Anna Gunn as she won for her role as Skyler White, the long-suffering partner of drug kingpin Walter White. She beat off competition from the likes of British duo Dame Maggie Smith (Downton) and the gorgeous Emilia Clarke (Thrones).

Surprisingly though, Bryan Cranston missed out on the Best Actor award for his role as Walt losing out (rather shrewdly) to Jeff Daniels for his excellent performance as troubled news anchor Will McAvoy in Aaron Sorkin’s polarising media series The Newsroom. Other big names like Jon Hamm (Mad Men) and Kevin Spacey (House of Cards) fell short of the top acting prize.

It proved a disappointing night for Downton, Mad Men and especially Thrones as all three shows failed to land any major awards despite garnering series-best reviews.

Claire Danes secured her second successive Best Actress in a Drama Series award for her portrayal of CIA agent Carrie Mathison in Homeland ahead of Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) and Kerry Washington (Scandal) while another bold and inpiring win saw Bobby Cannavale beat off the likes of Breaking Bad duo Aaron Paul and Jonathan Banks to win Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for his role as villainous gangster Gyp Rossetti in the much-ignored Boardwalk Empire.

Meanwhile, the Comedy categories saw Modern Family breeze to its fourth successive Best Comedy Series accolade although none of its actors received any recognition.

Armando Innaucci’s political satire Veep secured another Best Comedy Actress gong for Julia-Louis Dreyfus in her role as bumbling politician Selina Meyer with co-star Tony Hale being another shock winner on the night as he won the Best Supporting Comedy Actor in a Comedy Series award.

Jim Parsons won another Best Actor in a Comedy Series accolade for his role in Big Bang Theory while Merritt Wever overcame stiff competition in her category to surprisingly win Best Comedy Supporting Actress for her performance in Nurse Jackie.

Finally, in the Outstanding Mini-Series or Movie group, Michael Douglas overcame co-star Matt Damon and Al Pacino (Phil Spector) to win Best Actor for his lead role in the acclaimed Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra, which also won the chief award. Laura Linney saw off competition from Dame Helen Mirren and Jessica Lange (American Horror Story) to win Best Actress for the dark-comedy The Big C.

The Primetime Emmys were hosted by entertainer and comedy actor Neil Patrick Harris. The official list of winners are below….

Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad

Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Claire Danes – Homeland

Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Jeff Daniels – The Newsroom

Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Bobby Cannavale – Boardwalk Empire

Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Anna Gunn – Breaking Bad

Comedy Series
Modern Family

Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep

Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Jim Parsons – Big Bang Theory

Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Merritt Wever – Nurse Jackie

Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Tony Hale – Veep

Outstanding Reality Show Host
Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn – Project Runaway

Outstanding Reality Series Competition
The Voice

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series
The Colbert Report

Outstanding Miniseries Or Movie
Behind the Candelabra

Lead Actor In A TV Miniseries Or Movie
Michael Douglas – Behind the Candelabra

Lead Actress In A TV Miniseries Or Movie
Laura Linney – The Big C