Veep and Armando Iannucci conquer comedy awards at Emmys

Scottish creator Armando Iannucci took home two Emmys, for outstanding writing for a comedy series and outstanding comedy series.

He tweeted his delight at the show’s success.

The sitcom, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the President of the United States, is an American spin-off of Ianucci’s hit British series The Thick Of it, about the spin doctors behind British politics.

Louis-Dreyfus scooped the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for the fourth year in a row for her portrayal of gaffe-prone President Selina Meyer, while co-star Tony Hale took home outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his role as her devoted aide Gary Walsh.

Veep – which also stars Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott and Timothy Simons, also won outstanding casting for a comedy series.

The HBO show, now in its fourth season, airs on Sky Atlantic in the UK.

Apart from Iannucci’s success at the 67th annual Primetime Emmys, it was a disappointing night for the Brits. British series Wolf Hall, The Missing and The Honourable Woman all missed out, along with Downton Abbey.

Ricky Gervais was nominated for Channel 4′s Derek as outstanding lead actor in a mini-series or movie, but also went home empty-handed. The British comedian gave a mock acceptance speech while presenting the gong for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series and pretended to cry.