LOS ANGELES: Long-standing barriers fell on September 20’s Emmy Awards as Viola Davis became the first non-white actress to claim top drama acting honours, Jon Hamm finally won for Mad Men, and Game of Thrones overcame Emmy anti-fantasy resistance to claim the top drama award.

An emotional Davis, who won for her portrayal of a ruthless lawyer in How to Get Away With Murder, invoked the words and spirit of 19th Century American abolitionist Harriet Tubman. “I can’t seem to get over that line,” she quoted Tubman as saying.

“The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is opportunity,” Davis added. “You cannot win Emmys with roles that are simply not there.”

Empire star Tariji P Henson, another black nominee in the category, stood and applauded Davis’ win. Other African-American actresses who prevailed on September 20 were Uzo Aduba and Regina King, who won for supporting performances.

Mad Men star Hamm claimed the best drama actor Emmy that eluded him seven times before. He bypassed the steps to the Emmy stage, scrambling onto it on his stomach.

“There has been a terrible mistake, clearly,” said Hamm, who played troubled ad man Don Draper in the series that ended its run without adding another best-drama trophy to its haul of four previous wins.

It lost to Game of Thrones, which became only the second so-called “genre” series, after sci-fi drama Lost, to win.Transparent emerged as an early winner at Emmy Awards, capturing a best comedy actor trophy for Jeffrey Tambor and a directing award for its creator, and giving both winners a chance to pay tribute to the show’s transgender themes.

“I’d like to dedicate my performance and this award to the transgender community. ... Thanks for letting us be part of the change,” said Tambor, who plays a man journeying toward womanhood.

Jill Soloway, who based the series on the life of her own “moppa,” as she calls her parent, used her directing trophy acceptance speech to ask for equal rights for transgender individuals.

Other winners

•    Outstanding Drama Series: Game of Thrones

•    Outstanding Comedy Series: Veep

•    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

•    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black

•    Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

•    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Tony Hale, Veep

•    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Allison Janney, Mom

•    Outstanding Miniseries: Olive Kitteridge

•    Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Richard Jenkins, Olive Kitteridge

•    Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Frances McDormand, Olive Kitteridge

•    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Bill Murray, Olive Kitteridge

•    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Regina King, American Crime

•    Outstanding Variety Talk Show: The Daily Show

•    Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: Inside Amy Schumer

•    Outstanding Reality Competition Program: The Voice

•    Drama - Directing: Game of Thrones