Sherlock has well and truly cracked America, with a hugely positive reception from fans followed up last night by a double win at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles.

The BBC's Sherlock Holmes update was named Best Movie/Mini-Series, while its star Benedict Cumberbatch took home the equivalent Best Actor award. 

Sherlock's Lara Pulver, nominated for her risque performance as dominatrix Irene Adler, lost out to Julianne Moore, whose portrayal of Sarah Palin in HBO's Game Change netted her the Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries gong. 

Conspiracy thriller Homeland took the top award, Best TV Drama Series, with its star Clare Danes winning Best Dramatic Actress for her portrayal of bipolar CIA agent Carrie Mathison - although her British co-star Damian Lewis missed out in the Best Actor category.

That award was collected by Bryan Cranston for his performance as a chemistry teacher turned drug baron in Breaking Bad, now in its fifth series, while co-star Giancarlo Esposito was named Best Supporting Actor for his turn as the head of a New Mexico methamphetamine ring.

Mad Men's Christina Hendricks took Best Supporting Actress for her role as office manager Joan Holloway in the 60s-set ad agency drama. 

Comedy awards, meanwhile, saw a joint win in the Best Actress category for Zooey Deschanel, in flat-share comedy New Girl, and Amy Poehler, star of mockumentary Parks and Recreation, while Louis C.K. took Best Actor for his FX show Louie.

The Critics' Choice Awards are chosen by the Broadcast Television Journalists Association and come a month before America's highest TV honours, the Emmys.