Helen Mirren, who the best actress Oscar for “The Queen” in 2007, took top honors Sunday at London’s Olivier theater awards Sunday for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Audience.”
Mirren had been favorite for the trophy at Britain's equivalent of Broadway’s Tonys for her regal turn in Peter Morgan's play about the private weekly meetings between the monarch and Britain's prime ministers over her 61-year reign.
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Mirren joked that it was the queen who deserved an award, "for the most consistent and committed performance of the 20th century, and probably the 21st century."
“Downton Abbey” actor Hugh Bonneville hosted the ceremony at London's Royal Opera House. “Homeland” star Damian Lewis, “Sex and the City” alumna Kim Cattrall and former boy wizard Daniel Radcliffe were among the presenters.
More to come …