Olivia Colman has won her first ever Golden Globe award for her performance in the BBC One drama The Night Manager.

The former Norwich High School for Girls and Gresham's School pupil was given the accolade in the best supporting actress in a series, limited series or TV movie category for her work in the spy thriller.

The 42-year-old actress beat out This Is Us stars Mandy Moore and Chrissy Metz, Lena Headey of Game of Thrones and Westworld scene-stealer Thandie Newton to take home the trophy.

It was one of three awards for The Night Manager as Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie also won awards for their performances in the BBC drama.

Colman chose not to fly to Los Angeles for the star-studded ceremony so she would be on top form to star opposite Dame Judi Dench in Sir Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Murder On The Orient Express, which is currently filming.

She said 'I can't believe I was not there but it feels like the wrong thing not being there for the first week of a new job.

'I'm playing Judi Dench's maid and I want her to be so impressed because she is my hero. I have to be good and I don't want to be that person who turns up jetlagged but now I sort of think they would have forgiven me.

'I had all these voicemails from the director Susanne Bier saying 'turn your phone on!'. Now I'm so gutted I'm not there. It's such an enormous honour, I'm beside myself.'

The gong was Colman's second for her portrayal of Angela Burr and there could be more accolades to come as she has been nominated for further awards including an Emmy and a Critics' Choice Television Award.

Before her role in the global hit series, Colman was best known for playing DS Ellie Miller in the ITV drama Broadchurch, a role she will continue later this year as the show returns for its third series.

Other big winners at Golden Globes included La La Land, The Crown and Atlanta.