'Game of Thrones' wins top drama Emmy as 'Fleabag' springs a surprise

Peter Dinklage won his 4th best supporting actor statuette for his portrayal of series-star Tyrion Lannister

"Game of Thrones" took the top Emmy for best drama Sunday but dark British comedy "Fleabag" was the surprise big winner of television's glitziest night, dominating the comedy prizes at a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles.

"Thrones," the most decorated fictional show in the history of the Emmys -- television's Oscars -- finished with 12 awards overall for its final season.

"Thank you to the hardest working crews in show business -- the dragons who shot for 70 nights straight in freezing Belfast rain, the wolves who shot all around the world -- you are amazing, all of you," said showrunner Dan Weiss. "And it is amazing that all of you are still alive."

Peter Dinklage won his fourth best supporting actor statuette for his portrayal of sharp-tongued dwarf Tyrion Lannister.

But the blood-soaked fantasy epic's hopes of going out with a new record for a single season were dashed after it failed to convert nominations in directing, writing, and the other acting categories. The divisive final run of "Thrones" enraged many fans -- more than a million signed a petition for HBO to redo its conclusion.

But the 10 nominated cast members of the cast of "Thrones" received a standing ovation as they gathered on stage. "I think all of us agree how amazing the entire last season was for us," said Sophie Turner, who played Sansa Stark.

"Thrones" ends its eight-season run with 59 Emmys, a record for a drama or comedy. Only variety sketch show "Saturday Night Live" has more.