Actress Archie Panjabi scoops Emmy Award

ACTRESS Archie Panjabi was left to fly the flag for British acting talent at this year’s Emmy Awards.

The London-born actress picked up the award for best supporting actress for her role in The Good Wife as the US honoured stars of the small screen at a lavish Los Angeles ceremony.

But Michael Sheen, Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench were among the high-profile nominees who failed to pick up a coveted award.

Archie Panjabi, 38, who made her name in British hit films East is East and Bend It Like Beckham, won an Emmy for her role as a law firm’s in-house private investigator in the hit TV show.

She said it was “just amazing” to receive the award.

Michael Sheen was nominated for best actor in a mini series or TV movie for The Special Relationship, a film in which he reprised his role as Tony Blair.

But he lost out to acting great Al Pacino, who won a rare TV gong for You Don’t Know Jack.

The night’s big winners were Mad Men, named best drama series, and Modern Family, best comedy series. But there was some recognition of the British, with comedian Ricky Gervais on hand to present two awards.