The 64th Primetime Emmys has spoken, deciding the best of the best of television for 2012. Here’s a breakdown of the winning actors and actresses and their respective shows:

Comedy

Outstanding Comedy Series: Modern Family
For the third consecutive year since its creation, “Modern Family” snatched the Emmy amongst old favorites such as “30 Rock” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” as well as hopeful newcomers “Girls” and “Veep.” The show also won for two acting performances and directing for a comedy series.

Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series: Jon Cryer as Alan Harper, Two and a Half Men
After what you could call an outstanding performance of drug-fueled insanity, “Two and a Half Men” killed off Charlie Sheen’s character and replaced him with Ashton Kutcher, also fresh off a celebrity scandal. The 2012 season ratings were low and the show barely scraped by a 10th season renewal. This could have fueled Jon Cryer’s face of honest shock when he won the lead actor Emmy over past juggernauts Jim Parsons and Alec Baldwin. Cryer won a Supporting Actor Emmy for the same role in 2009 and had been nominated for several years prior.

Outstanding supporting actor in a lead comedy series: Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet took a break from winning his Emmy category in 2011 after winning supporting actor in 2010, “Modern Family’s” first season. As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues such as same-sex marriage push more and more into the media spotlight, Stonestreet shines in his role as flamboyantly gay Cameron, despite Stonestreet being a straight man himself.

Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, Veep
The “Veep” star had tough competition, which everyone was made aware of during her acceptance speech. Amy Poehler of “Parks and Recreation” has yet to win an Emmy for her hilarious performance as Leslie Knope, and in a planned bit, “accidentally” switched her acceptance speech with Louis-Dreyfus’. Tina Fey smiled sadly through the process, as “30 Rock” is entering its final season this fall and her last opportunity to win might have been last night. As the music played her out, Louis-Dreyfus ended her acceptance with, “Amy Poehler should have won.”

Outstanding supporting actress in a lead comedy series: Julie Bowen
Julie Bowen took home her second consecutive Emmy for her role of Claire Dunphy on “Modern Family,” kicking into overdrive “Modern Family’s” impressive night.

Drama

Outstanding Drama Series: Homeland
Crushing “Mad Men’s” hopes of making Emmy history with five consecutive wins in the Drama category, “Homeland,” the story of an Iraq veteran who returns home after eight years presumed killed in action, won the category for its first season. “Mad Men” took home zero wins after a record-breaking 17 nominations.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Damian Lewis as Nicolas Brody, Homeland
The soldier returned home won for his main character on “Homeland.” A little less than a year after President Obama ending the nine-year war in Iraq, issues of war and American military involvement are still under public scrutiny, which may be a contributing factor to “Homeland’s” huge success.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Aaron Paul as Jessie Pinkman, Breaking Bad
“Breaking Bad’s” final season’s only win was Aaron Paul, his second consecutive win for his role as the meth dealing sidekick to Walter White. Bryan Cranston, the actor behind White, dropped what would have been his fourth consecutive win as the main character.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison, Homeland
Carrie Mathison doesn’t trust the returned war hero and fellow Emmy winner Nicolas Brody (played by Damian Lewis). Her character struggles to prove his possible terrorist plans and retain control over her bipolar disorder.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey, the drama from across the pond, took the U.S. by storm as a Masterpiece Classic on PBS. Maggie Smith wasn’t in attendance to accept her award, a speech sorely missed by fans of her snotty performance as a prim and proper mother-in-law.

What do you think of the awards given at last night’s Emmys? Who do you think should have won? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Written by Lauren Slavin