More diversity on show and validation for HBO

Los Angeles

IT was a night of firsts, and a night for establishment cable at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday.

Viola Davis became the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for best lead actress in a drama series, for her role as a defence lawyer in ABC's How to Get Away With Murder; Jon Hamm won his first Emmy after seven previous nominations for his role as the tortured Don Draper in Mad Men; and HBO, led by victories for the comedy Veep, the drama Game of Thrones and a four-part limited series, Olive Kitteridge, had a triumphant showing, with 14 victories, including best drama and outstanding comedy series.

It was the first time in eight years that HBO won in the best drama category, and was the first victory for the sprawling fantasy epic G…