Downtown Abbey had reason to celebrate Sunday night — Maggie Smith won the Emmy Award for best supporting actress in a drama series — but the man behind the popular PBS series almost didn’t make it to the grand occasion, he told Celebuzz.
Executive producer Gareth Neame revealed he had to walk to the ceremony after his limousine broke down on the way to the Nokia Theatre in Downtown L.A.
“Apart from my limo breaking down on the way here and having to walk, it’s been very, very good,” Neame said with some obvious relief having made it to the red carpet on time.
Last year the popular period drama TV series took home six gold statues and this year Smith – who plays the Countess of Grantham – was honored as best supporting drama actress.
“To see the recognition of our stars this year which wasn’t the same, we were less known last year and we won six Emmys,” he said. “It’s really raised the profile and in the space of a year it’s gone from a mini series hit to a big series hit in this country.
“The biggest shows in the world are recognized here so it’s very exciting for us to be here, we’re really thrilled.”
