Merkerson, Rhys-Meyers get Golden Globes

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- S. Epatha Merkerson took the Golden Globe Award for best actress in a TV movie or miniseries Monday night for her role in HBO's "Lackawanna Blues."

"This is so amazing," she said. "I am 53 years old. This is my first lead in a film. I feel like I'm 16. And if I wasn't in the middle of a hot flash, I'd believe that."

Before thanking HBO and getting into the "Lackawanna" basics, Merkerson thanked "NBC for employing me the last 16 years, the last 13 on 'Law and Order.'"

The Golden Globe for best actor in a TV movie or miniseries went to Irish actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers for his portrayal of the King of Rock 'n' Roll in the CBS miniseries "Elvis."

Rhys-Meyers beat out a field of film veterans including Kenneth Branaugh, Ed Harris, Donald Sutherland and Bill Nighy.