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Darren Criss wins Lead Actor Emmy Award for ‘Assassination of Gianni Versace’

The Ryan Murphy series took home three awards including Limited Series or Movie and directing

By Steve Brown

Darren Criss won the Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Emmy Award for his role in the Assassination of Gianni Versace.

Criss starred as the notorious US serial killer Andrew Cunanan – who brutally murdered the fashion designer – in Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story anthology and the show was nominated for nine Emmy Awards.

During the prestigious award’s ceremony, Criss took home the coveted Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie beating the likes of John Legend, Benedict Cumberbatch and Antonio Banderas.

While giving his acceptance speech, Criss thanked series creator Murphy – who he previously worked with on Glee – as well as his fiancée Mia.

He said: “Oh my God, you guys are witnessing the most extraordinary moment of my life thus far.

“Unlike the character I play, I was lucky enough to be raised in a home that was loving.

“My darling Mia, you roll the windows down and pump the music up in my life.”

The series also took home the award for Limited Series or Movie and Murphy won the gong for Directing for a Limited Series or Movie.

Lea Michele – who starred in Glee alongside Criss – took to Twitter when her close friend won the award and couldn’t help but cry when he collected his award.

Other shows that took home awards were RuPaul’s Drag Race but the big winners of the night were Game of Thrones and Amazon’s Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.