Little Dorrit won seven Emmy Awards for Britain at American television's equivalent of the Oscars.

Joker: Ricky Gervais with partner Jane Fallon. His Emmys quip was edited out

The BBC costume version of Dickens' novel won more awards than any other programme. It took the Emmys for best mini-series, best direction for Dearblha Walsh and best writing for veteran literary TV adapter Andrew Davies. It also landed Emmys for art direction, costumes and cinematography.

Dickens of a time: Little Dorrit's Dearblha Walsh won an award for best direction

It marked a spectacularly happy ending for Little Dorrit which endured a torrid time when it was broadcast on BBC1 last year. Almost 500,000 viewers complained to the in December when the drama was shelved in favour of a Panorama special on Sharon Matthews leading to the corporation issuing an apology.

Gallery: Stars dazzle on the red carpet at the Emmy Awards

Ratings fell to 2.5 million viewers for one half-hour episode last December. 

But Americans embraced the exploits inside Marshalsea Prison for Debt when it was broadcast last March on the PBS channel with Hollywood trade publication Variety declaring “Little Dorrit is what the English do best”.  

Emmy Winners 2009
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Jon Cryer - Two And A Half Men

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kristin Chenoweth - Pushing Daisies

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Michael Emerson - Lost

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Cherry Jones - 24

Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: Brendan Gleeson - Into The Storm

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange - Grey Gardens

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: American Idol

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Ellen Burstyn - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Tina Fey - Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Director in a Comedy Series: Jeff Blitz - The Office

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Matt Hubbard - 30 Rock, The Reunion

Outstanding Made for Television Movie: Grey Gardens

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Ken Howard - Grey Gardens

Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Series: Dearbhla Walsh - Little Dorrit
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: Andrew Davies - Little Dorrit

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: Shohreh Aghdashloo - House of Saddam

Outstanding Reality-TV Competition: The Amazing Race

Outstanding Miniseries: Little Dorrit

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Michael J. Fox - Rescue Me

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Justin Timberlake - Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Rod Holcomb - ER

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Kater Gordon, Matthew Weiner - Mad Men

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Glenn Close - Damages

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Toni Collette - United States Of Tara

Outstanding Host for a Reality Competition Show: Jeff Probst - Survivor

Outstanding Comedy Series: 30 Rock

Outstanding Drama Series: Big Love

Outstanding Original Music & Lyrics: 81st Annual Academy Awards - Song Title: Hugh Jackman Opening.

Gallery: Stars dazzle on the red carpet at the Emmy Awards