Netflix's Baby Reindeer, FX's Shogun and The Bear triumph at ...

Controversial Netflix stalker drama Baby Reindeer and FX pair Shogun and The Bear were the big winners at last night’s Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Produced by Clerkenwell Films, black-comedy Baby Reindeer took home four trophies, including best limited or anthology series, plus acting honours for creator Richard Gadd and co-star Lily Gladstone.

Baby Reindeer has been one of the most talked-about series of the year, but its success has been overshadowed by claims about the authenticity of its storyline – described in the show as a true story – and its portrayal of real-life individuals. A woman claiming to have been portrayed negatively in the series has launched a US$170m lawsuit against Netflix.

In an interview with the BBC before the Emmys, Gadd claimed there had been too much focus on the legal fallout from the show.

“The past has happened, and the show has had a phenomenal impact on people. I think there’s a lot of, especially in the UK press, this incredible focus on the negative.

“But you can’t ignore the positive impact that Baby Reindeer has had. It’s been number one in countries like Lebanon and Qatar and places where you never, ever thought it would break through. It’s had a cross-cultural impact that very few shows have.”

Many of the remaining drama gongs were scooped up by Japanese historical series Shogun. It won four awards, including best drama series – the first time a non-English language show has achieved that honour.

Japanese cast members Hiroyuki Sanada (Yoshii Toranaga) and Anna Sawai (Toda Mariko) took home lead drama acting trophies. Based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell, Shogun is produced by Michael De Luca Productions and FXP.

Thanking the show’s commissioners, executive producer Justin Marks said: “You guys greenlit a very expensive subtitled Japanese period piece whose central climax revolves around a poetry competition.

“I have no idea why you did that but thank you for your faith in this incredible team.”

Perhaps the night’s biggest shock was when HBO Max show Hacks, about the relationship between a young comedy writer and a Las Vegas stand-up superstar, beat FX’s critically acclaimed chef series The Bear to the Best Comedy Series gong.

However, the cast and creatives of The Bear didn’t go home empty-handed. Star Jeremy Allen White won outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, while both Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colon-Zayas triumphed in supporting actor categories.

In unscripted there was good news for London-based prodco Studio Lambert after The Traitors beat regular winner RuPaul’s Drag Race to the trophy for best reality competition show.

Elsewhere, Jodie Foster was named outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series; Last Week Tonight with John Oliver won best scripted variety series; and The Daily Show scooped outstanding talk series.

Eugene and Dan Levy hosted the 76th edition of the Emmys, which aired live on ABC in the US from LA’s Peacock Theatre. The Primetime Emmys were awarded one week after the Creative Arts Emmys.

In terms of the major media companies represented, Disney dominated the awards with a record-breaking 60 wins for shows such as Shogun, The Bear and Jim Henson: Idea Man at both ceremonies. By contrast, streamer Netflix amassed only 24 awards, while HBO/Max took home 14 gongs.