Thandie Newton won the 2018 Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, for her role in HBO's Westworld

Thandie Newton Wins First Emmy: 'I Don't Even Believe in God, but I'm Going to Thank Her'

Taking the stage on Monday night after winning the 2018 Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, Thandie Newton had a special shout-out to share.

“I don’t even believe in God, but I’m going to thank her tonight,” the Westworld star said as she accepted her award.

Get push notifications with news, features and more.

She continued: “I am so f—king blessed to work with the people I have gotten to work with.”

Newton was previously nominated for her role as the brothel madam-turned freedom fighter “host” Maeve in the HBO series, losing out last year to Dowd.

Check out all of PEOPLE’s 2018 Emmys coverage here

“It’s been like feeling an awakening, just through this enjoyment of plot and character,” Newton told PEOPLE in 2017 of the critical and fan reception to Westworld.

Image zoom Kevin Winter/Getty

She explained:

“I know this because when people approach me in the street normally, they say ‘Can I have a selfie with you?’ Most of the time they don’t know my name. Whereas, ever since the first episode of Westworld, people approach me with confidence, none of that shamed looking at their phones as they mumble ‘You’re famous, aren’t you?’ ”

Newton remarked then that fans “approach me with confidence, look me in the eye and it’s like they’re alive inside and their eyes are flashing, they’re confident and grateful.”

“It’s just this incredible, positive, explosion of feeling for this person because she is fighting for liberation and for consciousness and for truth,” she said.