Broadchurch scores hat-trick at British TV awards

LONDON (AFP) - Crime drama Broadchurch and US hit series Breaking Bad were both winners at the British Academy Television Awards on Sunday, with a special award being handed out to veteran British actress Julie Walters.

The event at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane, hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta), was attended by Hollywood actor Aaron Paul, British star Helena Bonham Carter and The Wire lead actor Dominic West.

It was home-grown detective thriller Broadchurch that ran out as the night's biggest winner, claiming the Baftas for Best Drama and Best Supporting Actor, while lead star Olivia Coleman won the Best Actress prize for a second year running.

Coleman apologised to the audience, saying "sorry, not cool", as she sobbed her way through her acceptance speech.

Coleman's co-star, Scot David Tennant, was the butt of jokes this week over his attempts at a Californian accent in Gracepoint, the US remake of the hit British series.

The Bafta Fellowship, the highest accolade handed out by the academy, was given to seven-time winner Walters, star of Harry Potter and Mamma Mia!.

US actor Paul accepted the award for International Programme on behalf of Breaking Bad, in which he plays the sidekick of drug baron Walter White.

British light entertainment stalwart Cilla Black was also honoured, receiving the Bafta Special Award in recognition of her 50-year career.

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