Those hoping that newcomers True Detective, Fargo and Orange Is the New Black might sweep their categories, or that Game of Thrones would at last get its due, might have been a bit disappointed last night, as the Primetime Emmy Awards largely embraced old favorites.
As many expected, the ceremony served as a fond farewell to AMC's Breaking Bad, which took home honors for Outstanding Drama, Lead Actor for Bryan Cranston (his fourth), Supporting Actor for Aaron Paul (his third), Supporting Actress for Anna Gunn (her second), and Outstanding Writing for Moira Walley-Beckett ("Ozymandias").
Less expected, perhaps, were Sherlock's first Emmy statuettes, with Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie going to Benedict Cumberbatch, Supporting Actor to Martin Freeman, and Writing to Steven Moffat ("His Last Vow"). Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates won Lead Actress and Supporting Actress, respectively, in the Miniseries category for their roles in FX's American Horror Story: Coven.
True Detective, which HBO entered in the drama category rather than in miniseries, had a rough night, with stars Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey losing to Cranston. However, Cary Koji Fukunaga was honored for Outstanding Directing for the episode "Who Goes There." FX's Fargo won Outstanding Miniseries.
Perennial favorite Modern Family won Outstanding Comedy for the fifth consecutive year, with Ty Burrell earning the trophy for Supporting Actor in a Comedy. Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus took home her third consecutive Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy.
See the complete list of last night's winners below:
Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad (AMC)
Outstanding Comedy Series
Modern Family (ABC)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Julianna Marguiles, The Good Wife (CBS)
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Moira Walley-Beckett, "Ozymandias," Breaking Bad (AMC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Cary Joji Fukunaga, "Who Goes There," True Detective (HBO)
Outstanding Supporting actor in a Drama Series
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Outstanding Variety Series
The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
Glenn Weiss, 67th annual Tony Awards (CBS)
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
Sarah Silverman, Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles (ABC)
Outstanding Television Movie
The Normal Heart (HBO)
Outstanding Miniseries
Fargo (FX)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Coven (FX)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock Holmes: His Last Vow (Masterpiece)
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
Colin Bucksey, "Buridan's Ass," Fargo (FX)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Martin Freeman, Sherlock: His Last Vow (Masterpiece)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Kathy Bates, American Horror Story: Coven (FX)
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
Steven Moffat, Sherlock: His Last Vow (Masterpiece)
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race (CBS)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (HBO)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Gail Mancuso, "Vegas," Modern Family (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Allison Janney, Mom (CBS)
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Louis C.K., "So Did the Fat Lady," Louie (FX)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ty Burrell, Modern Family (ABC)