For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
The cast of Game of Thrones addressed the backlash to the eighth and final season at the 2019 Emmy Awards .
After picking up a historic 32 nominations, the HBO show was awarded with two trophies in the main categories: Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Peter Dinklage.
Ahead of the ceremony, Emilia Clarke – who lost out in the Outstanding Actress category to Killing Eve 's Jodie Comer – called the criticism "profoundly flattering".
“You know what? It was profoundly flattering... someone cares that much that they’re ready to make such a noise about how they believe the characters should’ve been finished and how the story should’ve gone<' she told Variety. "That just shows how much everybody loved it.
During the ceremony, the 10 nominated cast members, including Gwendoline Christie and Alfie Allen, reunited on stage where Sophie Turner seemed to hint at the backlash. She said the final season had been a joy "for us", referring to her fellow cast members.
Show all 40 1 /40Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Allison Janney She might've been battling bronchitis, but the 'I, Tonya' actor still managed to turn up looking radiant in a fuchsia gown by Prabal Gurung.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Chrissy Metz The 'This is Us' actor was a vision in this custom emerald green gown by John Paul Ataker.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Sandra Oh Thanks to her leading role in the acclaimed series 'Killing Eve', Oh is having a moment. Proving her style credentials on arrival, the former 'Grey's Anatomy' star donned a plunging burgundy satin gown by Ralph and Russo.
AFP/Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake Hollywood couples get no better than Biel and Timberlake, who once again prove that they are quite literally the perfect pairing, romantically and visually. While the 'Can't stop the feeling!' singer kept things slick and simple in a black tuxedo, The 'Sinner' actor evoked regal charm with a muted strapless gown by Ralph and Russo.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Ann Dowd Trading Gilead for Hollywood, the 'Handmaid's Tale' actor channelled a melancholic aesthetic on the beige carpet via a billowing silhouette and dark, solemn florals.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney The late-night TV host opted for a classic black tuxedo with all the trimmings (waistcoat, bow tie, shiny shoes), while McNearney's gown added a splash of sunshine to the duo's overall aesthetic in a lemon pleated gown.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night John Legend Navy blue never looked so good. Tailored to the nines and paired with a bow tie, the 'Jesus Christ Superstar' performer wore his formalwear with aplomb.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Alison Brie Switching her wrestling garb for a slightly more upscale ensemble, Brie really did 'GLOW' her way down the beige carpet in a canary yellow column gown by Miu Miu, complete with Swarovski crystals and cut-out detail on the waist.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Rachel Brosnahan Taking home the award for lead actress in a comedy series, the 'Marvellous Mrs Maisel' star was the epitome of Chris de Burgh's 'Lady in Red', wearing a stunning scarlet gown by Oscar de la Renta complete with off-the-shoulder detail.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Jonathan Van Ness The 'Queer Eye' TV personality pulled no punches when it came to his red carpet look. The 70s flared Stella McCartney suit is given a flamboyant upgrade via a sheer Prada blouse that has a whiff of Marie Antoinette about it thanks to its high-neck. The deep violet clutch by The Row is the cherry on top.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Stefani Robinson Wearing one of J.Mendel's more fairytale-like creations, the 'Atlanta' writer offset the girlish glamour of her puffy tulle skirt with a slick of dark burgundy lipstick.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Evan Rachel Wood You'd be forgiven for thinking the 'Westworld' actor could've been a little more experimental with her occasionwear. But the subtle hints of a floral headpiece uplift her all-black tailored look by Altuzarra with an ethereal nymph-like charm.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Millie Bobby Brown The 'Stranger Things' star knows a thing or two about red carpet events by now, having been attending them since the tender age of 12. Now 14, the teenager is a total pro, as illustrated by this millennial pink princess frock by Calvin Klein.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Claire Foy Few could pull off the severity of stiff cream satin, but Foy manages to flourish under such circumstances. Keeping accessories and hairstyling to a minimum, the British rose radiates with natural beauty.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Elisabeth Moss Sporting a peachy sun-kissed glow, the 'Handmaid's Tale' star opted for a black strapless gown by Vera Wang, allowing her blonde tresses to rest comfortably in gentle waves on her clavicle.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Thandie Newton Prior to picking up the award for outstanding supporting actress, the 'Westworld' actor scooped a sartorial accolade in a fitted fuchsia gown hot off Brandon Maxwell's New York Fashion Week runway.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Kirsten Dunst Sometimes all you need is a floor-length deep blue gown and blonde Hollywood waves to make a statement on the red carpet - and Dunst succeeds effortlessly, completing the look with sparkling diamond earrings and a peachy lip hue.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Chrissy Teigen Not an inch of Teigen's eye-popping ensemble remains unsaturated by sparkle. This Zuhair Murad creation comes complete with a thigh-high slit and a triangular neckline that brings an angular twist to Teigen's perennial goddess vibe.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Maya Rudolph A romantic blend of black lace, the 'Bridesmaids' actor channelled a sombre mood with her midi Simone Rocha gown, adding only a sliver of colour to the look via a subtle rosy lip shade.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch Who needs to wear more than one shade when the hue is so egg-yolky vibrant and the silhouette so sharp? Cumberbatch may look dapper in his three-piece, but it's Hunter whose sartorial prowess prevails here.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Vanessa Kirby Not usually one for pastels, Kirby beguiles in this fitted satin gown by Tom Ford, which, in a muted shade of rose, highlights the British actor's flawless complexion.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Dakota Fanning Dior Haute Couture can do no wrong and Fanning wears it with grace. This sea green pleated gown strikes a Shakespearean chord, thanks to the Alienist's 175 carats worth of jewellery by Lorraine Schwartz, proving that all that glitters is not gold, it's actually emerald.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Scarlett Johansson A darling in Dolce & Gabbana, Johansson is the picture-perfect celebrity guest. Drop earrings - check; dynamic neckline - check; thigh-high slit - check. This look ticks all the boxes and even some circles too.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Sarah Paulson Only Oscar de la Renta could immerse you in a feathered fantasy so abundant without seeming trite. Quite rightly, Paulson lets her extroverted gown do the talking here, keeping her neck free from the distraction of jewellery and slicking her hair back in a simple bun.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Kit Harington The 'Game of Thrones' star shunned occasionwear conventions by opting for a slim daytime tie as opposed to its ribbony counterpart. He did, however, still wear a black suit. So that's something.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Gwendoline Christie Looking like the lady of the manor, Christie cut a statuesque silhouette in this glistening golden robed gown.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Sarah Silverman In true runway ready fashion, Silverman cinched her voluminous Galia Lahav gown in at the waist with a simple black belt, giving every last poof of fabric either side the attention it deserves.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Emilia Clarke A vision in Dior, Clarke opted for a darker and twistier look than normal which came complete with a heavily-laced bodice and ornamental floral embellishments.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Amanda Peet The US actor donned a forest green v-neck gown for the proceedings, complemented by a vibrant slick of red lipstick.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night James Corden and Julia Carey Corden added a bolt of primary pleasure to his tuxedo with his jolly bright blue jacket. Meanwhile, Carey opted for a fitted fishtail gown with ornate lace sleeves.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Nukaaka Coster-Waldau and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau While mustard is not a colour frequented by many at red carpet events, it works a treat here, particularly when worn alongside your wife's pale lime satin gown.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Michelle Dockery The 'Downton Abbey' star opted for a sky blue gown by Carolina Herrera.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Tiffany Haddish Multi-coloured gowns are a rare sight at modern-day award ceremonies, but Haddish demonstrates they are due a renaissance via this Prabal Gurung creation.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Tina Fey Like many of her fellow attendees, Fey subverted feminine floral norms by wearing a darker and more decorative design. Yes, there are flower-like patterns, but the overriding theme is one of romantic melancholy rather than springtime joy.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Poppy Delevingne The British model turned heads in a turquoise gown by Giambattista Valli couture, an eternal favourite on award ceremony red carpets.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Letitia Wright The 'Black Panther' actor maintained a demure aesthetic in this sparkly Pamella Roland gown.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Mandy Moore The 'This is Us' actor could've led a masterclass in metallics in this Rodarte gown, which complemented the lustrous shine of her brunette locks.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Kristen Bell Boxy necklines are always a winner when it comes to formalwear and Bell accentuates the sophistication via this long-sleeved Solace London gown, whose stark white shade makes quite the impact.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Heidi Klum It would be hard for the German model to wear something that doesn't make her look like a Greek statue. With a cinched-in bodice and a sweeping train, this satin Zac Posen gown is no different.
Getty Images
Emmys 2018: Best-dressed celebrities of the night Alexis Bledel Battenberg cake gets a sartorial re-imagining in this Delpozo gown, whose pastel lemon and pink shades come together in tender tandem.
Getty Images
It was a terrific night for British talent. Alongside Comer, Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag ), Ben Whishsaw (A Very English Scandal ) and Black Mirror 's Charlie Brooker
Patricia Arquette , Michelle Williams and Billy Porter – who became the first openly gay Africa-American winner of Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in Emmys history – were all praised for their acceptance speeches.
Find a full list of the evening’s winners here .
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies