Tatiana Maslany hadn't written a speech to accept the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Emmy.

Tatiana Maslany

Tatiana Maslany

The 30-year-old actress was honoured at Sunday (18.09.16) evening's prestigious ceremony for her role in 'Orphan Black', in which she plays multiple clones, each with their own distinct identity, and had to refer to drafts in her mobile phone to remind her of what to say on stage at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theatre.

Clutching her phone in one hand and the award in the other, she said: "I should have had this written down.

"There are so many people I feel so indebted to."

She went on to thank the show's creators for her "dream job", before paying tribute to the "incredible writers' room, beautiful cast and crew."

She added: "I feel so lucky to be on a show that puts women at the centre. Thank you so much to the Academy. Thank you."

And the actress admitted her lack of preparation with her speech was hit by more problems because she kept receiving congratulatory text messages while up on stage.

Speaking backstage, she said: "My phone kept going off accidentally. It was on Notes, but then they were all dinging because my friends are texting me."

Tatiana beat off competition from Viola Davis ('How to Get Away With Murder'), Taraji P. Henson ('Empire'), Robin Wright ('House of Cards'), Claire Danes ('Homeland'), and Keri Russell ('The Americans') and was stunned to scoop the crown when faced with such stiff competition.

She said: "I didn't expect it at all. It's such an honour. The category I'm in is all these woman I've looked up to so long and whose work I so admire. ... I haven't quite breathed yet since I got off the stage. Hopefully at some point it'll sink in."

Elsewhere at the ceremony, which was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, 'Game of Thrones' scooped an impressive 12 awards, including the coveted Outstanding Drama Series prize, while Rami Malek picked up his first Emmy, with his turn in 'Mr. Robot' seeing him recognised with the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series prize.

'Veep' was named Outstanding Comedy Series, with its star Julia Louis-Dreyfus taking home Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. 'Transparent' star Jeffrey Tambor picked up Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

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