Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones Win TCA Awards

Prestigious drama Downton Abbey and fantasy drama Game of Thrones were amongst the winners of Television Critics Association awards.

PBS/ITV drama Downton Abbey won the Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials award. So far two seasons of the period drama have aired on PBS in America with a third to follow which will include a second Christmas Special. Downton Abbey has taken America by storm winning millions of fans and delivering huge audiences to PBS. The cast of the drama includes Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Penelope Wilton, Michelle Dockery (pictured right) and Elizabeth McGovern.

Meanwhile HBO‘s critically acclaimed drama Game of Thrones has been named Program of the Year. The fantasy drama continues to draw big audiences to HBO and critics can’t help but heap praise on the lavish and epic series. It has a worldwide following and the third series is hotly anticipated – it must surely have one of the largest casts on television! Amongst the huge cast are Peter Dinklage, Charles Dance, Aidan Gillen, Michelle Fairley, Lena Headey and Natalie Dormer.

Showtime‘s Homeland also picked up two awards while AMC‘s Breaking Bad also won itself a gong.

PRESS RELEASE:

The Television Critics Association (TCA) tonight recognized the top programs and actors of the 2011-2012 television season at its 28th Annual TCA Awards presentation. Bryan Cranston, star of AMC’s hit series “Breaking Bad,” hosted the annual invitation-only event, held at the Beverly Hilton hotel in conjunction with the TCA’s summer press tour. The non-televised ceremony bestowed awards in 12 categories to recipients in comedy, drama, reality, miniseries, news and youth programming.

Members of the TCA, a media organization of more than 200 professional TV critics and journalists from the United States and Canada, voted HBO’s celebrated “Game of Thrones” this season’s Program of the Year and honored Showtime’s freshman drama, “Homeland,” with the award for Outstanding New Program.

”The past year in television offered a wide variety of standout programming. Viewers were treated to shows that were fearless, thought-provoking and original, spanning far beyond the traditional conventions,” said TCA president Candace Havens. “Whether it was the hard-hitting drama of ‘Homeland,’ the elegance of ‘Downton Abbey,’ the brash honesty of ‘Louie’ or any of our other winners —truly, there was something for everyone. The TCA is proud to honor these outstanding programs with the help of the talented and award-winning Bryan Cranston.”

Winning its first TCA Award ever, the FX sitcom “Louie” took home the award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy, and its star, Louis C.K., nabbed the top trophy in the Individual Achievement in Comedy category.

AMC’s “Breaking Bad” once again received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama, having previously won the distinction in 2010, and “Homeland” star Claire Danes was honored with Individual Achievement in Drama for her portrayal of Carrie Mathison.

PBS Masterpiece’s “Downton Abbey” emerged victorious in the category of Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials, while Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” took home the award for Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming.

Additionally, the TCA also recognized ABC Family’s “Switched At Birth” with an award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming, and CBS News’ iconic “60 Minutes” received top honors for Outstanding Achievement in News & Information.

The TCA not only recognized the year’s finest programming, but it also bestowed a Heritage Award upon NBC’s classic sitcom “Cheers” (1982-93), for the cultural and social impact the program has had on society. The non-profit organization also presented David Letterman (“The Late Show With David Letterman”) with a Career Achievement Award for his influence in late night television.

• 2012 TCA Award recipients are as follows:
• Individual Achievement in Drama: Claire Danes (“Homeland,” Showtime)
• Individual Achievement in Comedy: Louis C.K. (“Louie,” FX)
• Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: “60 Minutes” (CBS)
• Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming: “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox)
• Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming: “Switched At Birth” (ABC Family)
• Outstanding New Program: “Homeland” (Showtime)
• Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials: “Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” (PBS)
• Outstanding Achievement in Drama: “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
• Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: “Louie” (FX)
• Career Achievement Award: David Letterman
• Heritage Award: “Cheers”
• Program of the Year: “Game of Thrones” (HBO)