Kate Winslet and Downton Abbey were among the big winners at the Emmy Awards, making it a successful night for British TV talent.

Winslet was honoured for her lead actress role in Mildred Pierce, while ITV1′s hit period drama picked up four gongs, including best mini-series and a best supporting actress award for Dame Maggie Smith.

Dressed in a glamorous red gown, an emotional Winslet dedicated the award to her mother, and said: “I didn’t think we were going to win anything.” Winslet, who already has an Oscar and a Grammy, beat stars including Downton Abbey’s Elizabeth McGovern and Upstairs Downstairs veteran Jean Marsh to her trophy.

The 63rd Primetime Emmys ceremony saw Mad Men win its fourth consecutive best drama series award, while Modern Family claimed its second best comedy trophy.

Downton Abbey, which launched its second series in the UK on Sunday night, was also honoured for its writing and directing, with gongs for Julian Fellowes and Brian Percival.

There was disappointment however for Hugh Laurie, who lost out to Kyle Chandler of Friday Night Lights in the lead actor in a drama series category. Scottish stars Kelly MacDonald, of Boardwalk Empire, and Alan Cumming, of The Good Wife, also went away empty-handed.

British actor Idris Elba, who stars in Luther, lost out to Barry Pepper of The Kennedys for lead actor in a mini-series or movie, and Cat Deeley missed out in the reality show host category. Fellow Briton Tom Wilkinson, who was nominated for The Kennedys, lost out to Mildred Pierce actor Guy Pearce in the supporting actor in a mini-series category.

The show in Los Angeles kicked off on a controversial note after a comedy routine about the British phone hacking scandal was cut from the US broadcast. Alec Baldwin was to be part of an opening video for the ceremony, broadcast on Fox, which is owned by News Corp, the parent company of News International.

But the actor tweeted before the ceremony that the network had killed his joke about the hacking furore involving the now defunct News of the World. Fox said it believed it was inappropriate to make light of an issue being taken very seriously by the company.

Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey later hailed “a great night for British TV”. He said: “The British success at the Emmys clearly demonstrates the creative talent we have in this country. Congratulations to everyone whose hard work has been recognised.”