'Sherlock' wins big at the Emmys, but its stars are no-shows at the ceremony

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- The British detective drama Sherlock won big at the Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles Monday night, but its stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman weren't on hand to celebrate.

Cumberbatch won the award for Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, while Freeman scored the trophy for Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries. The pair play Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in the contemporary London-set incarnation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous mysteries.

Earlier in the evening, Sherlock scribe Steven Moffat collected the award for Best Writing for a Movie or Miniseries. He declared the honor "utterly thrilling" and gave a shout out to his frequent writing collaborator Mark Gatiss, who plays Mycroft Holmes on Sherlock.

Freeman's Fargo also earned the Emmy for Best Miniseries.

Both Cumberbatch and Freeman -- who also worked together on The Hobbit film franchise -- are enjoying thriving movie careers, as well as maintaining busy television schedules.