“Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes receives the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ 2015 International Emmy Founders Award. Fellowes was honored on November 23 at the 43rd International Emmy Awards Gala at the Hilton New York.
ITV's popular period drama received a special award at this year's International Emmys. “Downton Abbey” chronicles the lives of the upper-class Crawley family and its servants in Edwardian England. It was recently announced that the series’ upcoming sixth season will be its last.
While the popular drama didn't win any awards at the event, Julian Fellowes scooped a gong as he picked up the Honorary Founders Award.
Elizabeth McGovern, who stars as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, and the show's executive producer Gareth Neame presented the award to Fellowes.
The host of British stars Including Rafe Spall and Sheridan Smith were also nominated for an Emmy.
Smith, who interpreted the late singer and entertainer Cilla Black and has already won a number of awards for the part, including best actress at the TV Choice Awards and best drama performance at the National TV Awards.
The UK had led the nominations at the awards ceremony but was defeated in all except for non-scripted entertainment category with Sky's 50 Ways To Kill Your Mammy. Britain's only win marked the end to their past dominance at the show.
It was France that came out on top on the night, taking home three awards, including best drama series for hit crime thriller Engrenages.
Brazil received two Emmys, while the best actor award went to Maarten Heijmans of the Netherlands for Ramses, the story evolved in the rise and fall of the popular Dutch singer and actor Ramses Shaffy.
A total of 40 nominees from 19 countries competed in 10 categories for International Emmys, established to honor excellence in TV programming outside the US.
International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' CEO-president Bruce L. Paisner said he was "thrilled" to honor Fellowes for his work on Downton.
