Entertainment

CBC period dramas stand out at 3rd night of Gemini awards

Period dramas from the CBC were the big winners Wednesday at the Gemini Awards, with The Tudors and The Englishman's Boy each snagging four trophies.

Period dramas from the CBC were the big winners at the Gemini Awards on Wednesday.

The racy historical series The Tudors and the miniseries The Englishman's Boy each snagged four trophies in advance of next month's televised gala.

Last night's honours were handed out at a private bash to recognize the best in Canadian drama, variety and comedy TV, but the top awards – in such categories as best drama, best comedy and best news anchor – will be announced in November.

The Tudors will be up for three more trophies that night, including best drama. It'll face off against Durham County, The Border, Intelligence and Murdoch Mysteries.

The four awards snagged by The Tudors at Wednesday's gala were in the following categories:

  • Best photography in a dramatic program or series
  • Best performance by an actress in a featured supporting role in a dramatic series
  • Best production design or art direction in a fiction program or series
  • Best visual effects

The Englishman's Boy will also be up for two more trophies, including best miniseries and best actor in a leading role – for Nicolas Campbell and Michael Eisner.

The Englishman's Boy won in the following categories on Wednesday:

  • Best achievement in casting
  • Best costume design
  • Best direction in a dramatic program or mini-series
  • Best performance by an actress in a featured supporting role in a dramatic program or miniseries

Wednesday's awards bash was the third of four Gemini ceremonies recognizing excellence in Canadian television programming.

Citytv's 19th-century detective series Murdoch Mysteries had led the pack with 14 nominations overall but walked away with just two wins. It's up for one more trophy next month.

Meanwhile, the gritty cable drama Durham Country, which had 13 nominations, took home two trophies. The show, which airs on the Movie Network/Movie Central, is up for four more trophies next month.

Other winners Wednesday included:

  • Comic Russell Peters for best performance or host in a variety program or series, for his work on the Junos.
  • The 2008 Juno Awards, for best music, variety program or series.
  • The MuchMusic Video Awards 2007 for best direction.
  • Mayerthorpe for best TV movie.

The main Gemini Awards show will take place in Toronto on Nov. 28.