Dame Maggie and Damian Lewis have both won top awards at the Emmys in Los Angeles.

Dame Maggie Smith beat off challenges from Mad Men star Christina Hendricks and The Good Wife actress Christine Baranski to pick up an award for her portrayal of the grand Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.

She also saw off competition from her co-star Joanna Froggatt, who plays domestic servant Anna, to win the prize for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series.

Damian Lewis hailed a 'golden age' of television as he scooped an award for his portrayal of an American in espionage thriller Homeland, which counts Barack Obama as a fan.