TV Baftas 2014: Olivia Colman wins Best Actress award for Broadchurch

Olivia Colman with her award, the third TV Bafta she has received in two years (PA)

Olivia Colman has been awarded a TV Bafta for her leading role in ITV’s crime series Broadchurch.

The award marks the actress’s third Bafta in two years, after winning two TV Baftas last year for her roles in Twenty Twelve and Accused.

Bafta TV winners in full

The actress starred alongside David Tennant in Broadchurch as local detective Ellie Miller, who finds it hard to separate her emotions from the police investigation.

Colman won acclaim for her performance, which saw her break down in a questioning room after discovering her husband had committed the crime in question.

The actress also found it hard to fight her emotions on receiving her Bafta, saying through tears: “Well, Broadchurch, I’m so pleased everyone likes it. Chris Chibnall is a f***ing genius, thank you for writing it! And David Tennant, standing opposite you is a joy and a treat...

“And can I thank my friend Merk? Who’s not an actress but a teacher… And my parents, because they’re babysitting again. And my husband, the best thing in the world.”

Earlier in the ceremony, Colman's Broadchurch co-star David Bradley picked up the Best Supporting Actor award for his harrowing portrayal of elderly sea cadet leader Jack Marshall.

Colman has been confirmed to appear in the second series of Broadchurch, which goes into production later this year.

A US version of Broadchurch set in California, called Gracepoint, will air in the autumn on US channel Fox.

David Tennant returns to his role as chief male detective, with Breaking Bad’s Anna Gunn replacing Olivia Colman as DS Ellie Miller.

Read more: Breaking Bad wins Best International series
Broadchurch wins Best Drama Series
Full list of winners