The Night Of Star Riz Ahmed Thanks the Late James Gandolfini During 2017 Emmys Acceptance Speech

Riz Ahmed, Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert De Niro, Ewan McGregor, Geoffrey Rush and John Turturro were nominated

The Night Of star Riz Ahmed has won for Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie at the 2017 Emmy Awards.

The other nominees were Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Robert De Niro (The Wizard of Lies), Ewan McGregor (Fargo) Geoffrey Rush (Genius) and John Turturro (The Night Of).

While accepting his award, the 34-year-old said, "Thank you so much. It is a tremendous honor just to be recognized alongside so many inspiring actors who I've looked up to for so long, not least John Turturro." He continued to praise his co-star, saying, "It is amazing getting to watch you up close and I share this with you, brother T. It is amazing going on this ride with you."

The humble actor, who has also appeared on Girls, also made sure to thank one person who made a big difference in the show who was no longer alive, calling out, "One of our executive producers sadly isn't with us any more but a man who single-handedly changed television and I hope is he proud of us right now and that is the late, the great James Gandalfini."

The British actor also said, "I want to say it is always strange reaping the rewards of a story based on real world suffering but if this show has shown a light on some of the prejudice in our societies, some of the injustice in our justice system, then maybe that is something."

Last year, Courtney B. Vance took home the 2016 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a limited series or movie for his role as Johnnie Cochran in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

Meanwhile, Riz joins a big list of big winners on Sunday night...

John Lithgow won the Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role as Winston Churchill in The Crown. Alexander Skarsgård won big for her terrifying turn as abusive husband in Big Little Lies.

Kate McKinnon took home a statue for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series  for her role in Saturday Night Live. Laura Dern also nabbed an award for her role as an overbearing mom Renata Klein on Big Little Lies.

Don't miss E! News tonight at 7 and 11 p.m. and tune in to the Fashion Police 2017 Emmys Special, with guest co-host Erika Jayne, at 8 p.m., only on E!