Jeff Daniels wins best actor Emmy for drama

“NEWSROOM” CAST (standing from left): Jeff Daniels, Thomas Sadoski, Olivia Munn, John Gallagher Jr. and (seated) Dev Patel

LOS ANGELES – Jeff Daniels has won the Emmy Award for best drama actor for his role as self-righteous news anchor Will McAvoy in the HBO drama “Newsroom.”

It was Daniels’ first Emmy, indeed his first nomination. The television news industry drama was created by veteran TV writer Aaron Sorkin.

Daniels’ win was considered an upset in a category where his competition included Bryan Cranston, Damian Lewis, Kevin Spacey and Jon Hamm. It was the third major acting award given out Sunday to an actor on an HBO series.