British Emmy winners 2018: Claire Foy, Matthew Rhys and Thandie Newton among stars to claim top prizes

British actors and actresses have claimed some of the top prizes at the 70^th annual Emmy Awards.

Two of the night’s most revered awards, lead actress and lead actor, were handed out to Brits Matthew Rhys and Claire Foy.

Welshman Matthew Rhys clinched the coveted award for his role in The Americans, while Ms Foy won for her role as Queen Elizabeth II, in The Crown.

Thandie Newton also won an award for best supporting actress in a drama series, for her work in Westworld.

In accepting the award, the 45-year-old said: “I don’t believe in God, but I’m going to thank her.”

Charlie Brooker was also awarded for Black Mirror. The British writer, who won two of the awards last year for the same show, took home the prize for writing for a limited series, movie or dramatic special along with William Bridge.

Game of Thrones managed to scoop the best television drama series award, beating The Handmaid’s Tale, Stranger Things, This is Us and Westworld.

The HBO fantasy series won after a one-year hiatus in the category and was the leading nominee going into Monday's ceremony. Peter Dinklage also won the Emmy for best supporting actor in a drama series Monday night.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was the winner of the best comedy series Emmy Award.

The Amazon series stars newcomer Rachel Brosnahan as a 1950s mother and housewife who pursues a career in stand-up comedy and finds success by mocking her estranged husband.

The show had a massive night, winning four other Emmy Awards, including best comedy actress for Brosnahan, and best supporting actress for Alex Borstein. Writer-director Amy Sherman-Palladino also won two Emmys on Monday night.

Happy Days star Henry Winkler also won an Emmy – 42 years after he was first nominated.

The veteran actor, 72, was awarded the outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series gong for his role as acting coach Gene Cousineau in HBO's Barry.

Referencing his acceptance speech on stage, Winkler said: "I only have 30 seconds but I wrote this 40 years ago."

The full list of winners are: