Hit ITV drama takes Golden Globe for best television mini-series, while Brits Kate Winslet and Idris Elba also win awards

This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

ITV1 costume drama Downton Abbey was among a clutch of British winners at this year's Golden Globes, scooping the award for best television mini-series.

Titanic star Kate Winslet and London-born actor Idris Elba also bagged gongs on a night that saw Ricky Gervais host the prestigious ceremony for a third consecutive year.

The comic ruffled feathers at past shows with controversial gibes aimed at Hollywood's elite, but he seemed to tone down his close-to-the-knuckle jokes for the 69th annual Globes ceremony.

In his opening gambit, Gervais said organisers had warned him that were he to insult anyone on hand, or "offend any viewers, or cause any controversy whatsoever – they will definitely invite me back next year as well".

Downton Abbey has proved a huge success in the UK and its latest achievement showed it had also captivated audiences across the Atlantic.

Accepting the award at the Beverly Hills ceremony, the show's creator, Oscar winner Julian Fellowes, said: "How fabulous this is. The whole Downton adventure has been an extraordinary one. Like spotting a promising child and waking up to find they've have won the Olympics – and that's what we've lived through."

Berkshire-born Winslet took best actress in a mini-series for her performance in HBO's Mildred Pierce, while Elba triumphed in the male version of the category, scooping best actor for his role in BBC1's crime drama Luther.

Before the ceremony, the stars of Downton Abbey took to the red carpet and spoke about why the series was so popular.

Elizabeth McGovern, who plays the Countess of Grantham, said: "I think they love the drama and the intrigue, and they also love the solidity of the life, that you're free of mobile phones and Twitter."

Her on-screen husband, Hugh Bonneville, added: "People tend to love period dramas, but this is one where you don't know the ending, it's not like an adaptation of a book."