Emmys 2019: Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke addresses season 8 backlash as HBO show wins Best Drama Series

The cast of Game of Thrones addressed the backlash to the eighth and final season at the 2019 Emmy Awards.

After picking up a historic 32 nominations, the HBO show was awarded with two trophies in the main categories: Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Peter Dinklage.

Ahead of the ceremony, Emilia Clarke – who lost out in the Outstanding Actress category to Killing Eve's Jodie Comer – called the criticism "profoundly flattering".

“You know what? It was profoundly flattering... someone cares that much that they’re ready to make such a noise about how they believe the characters should’ve been finished and how the story should’ve gone<' she told Variety. "That just shows how much everybody loved it.

During the ceremony, the 10 nominated cast members, including Gwendoline Christie and Alfie Allen, reunited on stage where Sophie Turner seemed to hint at the backlash. She said the final season had been a joy "for us", referring to her fellow cast members.

It was a terrific night for British talent. Alongside Comer, Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Ben Whishsaw (A Very English Scandal) and Black Mirror's Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones all won big awards.

Patricia Arquette, Michelle Williams and Billy Porter – who became the first openly gay Africa-American winner of Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in Emmys history – were all praised for their acceptance speeches.

Find a full list of the evening’s winners here.