‘Sherlock’ Shocks Emmys with Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman Wins 

PBS’ “Sherlock” pulled off a string of surprise wins at the 2014 Emmy Awards, including lead and supporting actor trophies for stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, who faced stiff competition in the crowded miniseries/movie category.

In the lead actor category, Cumberbatch — who was absent from the ceremony — faced off against Freeman (also nominated for his role on “Fargo”) along with Billy Bob Thornton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba and Mark Ruffalo. Among pundits, consensus seemed split between Thornton and Ruffalo for the victory, but Academy voters seemed high on the cerebral British drama.

In the supporting actor race, Freeman was up against “Fargo” costar Colin Hanks, as well as “Normal Heart” stars Jim Parsons, Joe Mantello, Alfred Molina and Matt Bomer.

Series creator Steven Moffat’s work on “Sherlock: His Last Vow” also won Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special, although the show missed out on scoring the Outstanding Miniseries award which went to Freeman’s “Fargo,” while “Normal Heart” scored best movie.

Backstage, Moffat told reporters, “I didn’t think we’d win anything, genuinely… very shocked and surprised.” While he pointed out that the show has won plenty of awards outside America, they had almost written off any chance of an Emmy given that the show is aging. “We’re delighted that we’ve made it here and hopefully that it will get more people watching.”

As for how they plan to top last year’s highly rated season, Moffat declared, “We have a plan to top it, and I do think our plan is devastating. We practically reduced our cast to tears by revealing the plan.” He said he and co-creator Mark Gatiss are probably “more excited than we’ve ever been” about where the show is heading.

Moffat joked that Cumberbatch is now “too big to come to the Emmys,” but admitted that wrangling the busy stars has always been a challenge, given that they have no ongoing deals with the cast and are required to pitch them every year. “We all know what’s happening with ‘Sherlock’ is unusual, we know this won’t happen again in our lives… we’re keen to keep making ‘Sherlock’ as long as it’s a good show,” he promised.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards Red Carpet: Netflix is the New Black

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Reduced them to tears? Tears of laughter I take it.

All three awards were well deserved! And they won a bunch at the Creative Emmys too. All so well deserved. The music, the cinematography, acting, script, everything about it – all so very excellent. Cannot find enough words to describe how good this show is. It’s the best show I’ve ever watched. I watched the first two seasons on Netflix and when the third season aired, I hung onto every word.

Regarding Cumberbatch and Freeman not being in Hollywood for the show, they were far from the only nominees or not there. And keep in mind foreign nominees have a tougher time breaking away from a film or stage gig to turn up at an awards show than someone who’s working in LA. Also, moving the show to Monday night makes it tougher for working stiffs, especially those who might be on stage, to show up on a weekday. And this interesting note… both NY tabloids, the News and Post, listed Freeman as winning for Fargo.

‘Sherlock’ deserves every award it recieves…but i wish journalists would stop referring to it as ‘PBS’s Sherlock’…it’s not PBS’s…they just happen to show it…it was playing in england long before the states got it, and it was brilliant from the start, rather than when people finally caught onto it in america…

Sherlock is the best thing I have ever seen on TV – all three awards were well deserved…there was no ‘shock’ about it. If the Emmys had been on Sunday, then perhaps the two brilliant working British actors would have been able to attend…..

Benedict Cumberbatch is currently filming a movie in UK while Martin Freeman is playing Richard III on stage. I guess both didn’t expect to win.

Sorry, I don’t know Moffat personally so I don’t understand his British sense of humor. Still, it was a stupid thing to say and definitely ruffled a lot of feathers. I am a big fan of Sherlock but if they want to build an audience they can show some respect for American TV by showing up for the big award show. Freeman got two Emmy nominations and didn’t bother to show up but everyone knows he’s a jerk. I expected better of Cumberbatch.

What was a stupid thing to say? That Cumberbatch was “bigger” than the Emmys? Considering he was at the Oscars and has been quite a busy man this year, I doubt it ruffled that many feathers. Keep in mind that the world does not revolve around Americans and their award shows (and I am American).

well said vicki…and moffat was just joking anyway…but humor is another thing americans have trouble with…

They’re both filming. If they’d expected to win, they might have come. But they have busy schedules.

I’m sure they would have come if they expected to win and if they’re schedules would have allowed it. I’m sure Martin didn’t want to let the people down, who had tickets to see him play Richard III on stage (he can’t just leave) and Benedict surely couldn’t get away from filming, otherwise he would have, I’m sure.

Had to laugh as I checked the comments and, predictably, there was someone taking Moffat’s “too big for the Emmys” comment seriously. Anyone who’s ever heard Steven Moffat speak knows that his sense of humor runs to the sarcastic and should rarely be taken at face value. Even those not versed in Moffat-speak should recognize that his comment was meant as a joke. In any event, these are well-deserved wins which will hopefully persuade more American viewers not to scroll past Masterpiece Theater on their cable listings.

“Shocked”?! In the most politically based (industry politics, not “national”) awards around, can it really be a shock when ONCE IN A WHILE simple quality wins through!? They wouldn’t honor DOWNTON ABBEY as it deserved be, or (except for Jim Parsons) THE BIG BANG THEORY, but hip hip hooray for the well deserved victories of SHERLOCK (it deserved one more) and THE TONY AWARD SHOW!

THE BIG BANG THEORY has been consistently great for 7 seasons…and it always goes home empty-handed. I’m not sure what more that show has to do to knock the insufferable MODERN FAMILY off its block. And Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer and Julia Roberts were extraordinary in NORMAL HEART. Shocker indeed.

To big for the Emmys? I don’t think so. There were only two no shows tonight: Martin & Benedict.

You need to understand Moffat’s sense of humour. He said that tongue in cheek and should not be taken seriously. For your information, Cumberbatch is shooting a movie here in London and Freeman is on the West End- Richard III also in London. That’s why they weren’t there. They were not the only no shows.