'Modern Family' and 'Downton Abbey' were the big winners at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards last night (18.09.11).

The comedy series and the British period drama both took home four accolades from the prestigious ceremony at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, while 'Mad Men' and 'Mildred Pierce' were also awarded some of the top prizes.

'Mildred Pierce' leads the way in the Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

The HBO mini-series scored an astonishing 21 nods when the nominees were announced this morning (14.07.11) by Melissa McCarthy and Joshua Jackson, including Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie for Kate Winslet, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Mini-series Or A Movie for both Tom Wilkinson and Guy Pierce, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie for Evan Rachel Wood, Melissa Leo and Dame Maggie Smith, and Outstanding Miniseries or Movie.