The Assassination of Gianni Versace scooped three of the big awards at last night’s 70th Primetime Emmy awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles.
The second season of American Crime Story, by gay super-producer Ryan Murphy, won the Emmy for best Limited Series.
Lead actor, Darren Criss, who played the part of gay serial killer Andrew Cunanan, won the Emmy for best actor in a Limited Series.
Ryan Murphy, the creator of the show, won the award for Directing for the Gianni Versace episode: The Man Who Would Be Vogue.
The series had previously won Emmys for Outstanding Casting and Outstanding Contemporary Costumes. Last night’s wins brings its Emmy haul to five.
The series was based on the US murder spree of gay sociopath Andrew Cunanan in 1997. It culminated in the killing of the fashion designer Gianni Versace in July of that year in Miami. Previous to this, Cunanan killed four other men – at least two of whom were known to be ex lovers.
‘One out of every four LGBTQ people in this country will be the victim of a hate crime’
In his acceptance speech, Murphy took the opportunity to remind the audience that homophobic hate crimes continue.
‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace is about homophobia, internalized and externalized.
‘One out of every four LGBTQ people in this country will be the victim of a hate crime. We dedicate this award to them … And mostly this is for the memory of [Cunanan’s victims] Jeff [Trail] and David [Madson] and Gianni, and for all those lives taken too soon.’
‘The most extraordinary moment of my life’
In his acceptance speech, Criss called his win, ‘the most extraordinary moment of my life thus far. I’m very privileged to be in this room among so many people who inspire the crap out of me, and I’m so honored to be nominated.
‘A lot of you guys, I’ve been a fan of for such a long time. Actors are really only as good as the moments they are given and the moments they are granted. So I am profoundly indebted to my friend Ryan Murphy for entrusting me with this opportunity of a lifetime and for believing in me.’
He also thanked his mom and dad, saying: ‘Unlike the character I played, I was lucky enough to be raised in a home that was very loving and emphasized the value of hard work, compassion and not taking yourself too seriously.’
Other winners at last night’s event included RuPaul’s Drag Race (Best Reality Competition Series); Stephen Daldry (Directing for a drama series for an episode of The Crown); and Thandie Newton for Westworld (Supporting Actress in a Drama Series). Game of Thrones won Best Drama Series.
The full list of Emmy winners were as follows
Drama Series
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Comedy Series
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Limited Series
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Lead actress in a drama series
Claire Foy in The Crown
Lead actor in a drama series
Matthew Rhys in The Americans
Lead actress in a limited series or movie
Regina King in Seven Seconds
Lead actor in a limited series or movie
Darren Criss in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Lead actress in a comedy series
Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Lead actor in a comedy series
Bill Hader in Barry
Supporting actor in a drama series
Peter Dinklage in Game of Thrones
Supporting actress in a drama series
Thandie Newton in Westworld
Supporting actor in a comedy series
Henry Winkler in Barry
Supporting actress in a drama series
Alex Borstein in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Supporting actor in a limited series or movie
Jeff Daniels in Godless
Supporting actress in a limited series or movie
Merritt Wever in Godless
Reality-competition program
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)
Variety talk series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
Variety sketch series
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Directing for a comedy series
Amy Sherman-Palladino for: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (‘Pilot’)
Directing for a drama series
Stephen Daldry for: The Crown (‘Paterfamilias’)
Directing for a limited series, TV movie or dramatic special
Ryan Murphy for: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (‘The Man Who Would Be Vogue’)
Writing for a comedy series
Amy Sherman-Palladino, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (“Pilot”)
Writing for a drama series
Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg for: The Americans (‘Start’)
Writing for a limited series, TV movie or dramatic special
William Bridges and Charlie Brooker for: USS Callister: Black Mirror
Writing for a variety series
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO)
See also
Who were the other men murdered by Versace killer Andrew Cunanan?