Suburban thriller Durham County was the big winner on Friday night, taking another three trophies at the Gemini Awards, though it was a disappointing night for Murdoch Mysteries, which was ignored despite scoring the most nominations this year.

Durham County, which airs on The Movie Network and Movie Central, picked up a directing prize for Holly Dale and acting nods in a drama for leads Justin Louis and Australian-born Helene Joy as the 23rd annual TV awards wrapped up in Toronto.

The series ‘was treated like art, not television, and I felt like I was on a film set working with people who are prepared to go deep,’ said Joy, in describing the filming experience to reporters backstage.

The series, from Muse Productions and Back Alley Films, won five Geminis in all, having scored writing and sound trophies during the earlier galas, which were not broadcast, in October.

In the competitive best drama category, Durham was bested by Chris Haddock’s defunct series Intelligence, which also beat out fellow CBC shows The Border and The Tudors and Citytv’s Murdoch.

The Englishman’s Boy was honored with two trophies for best dramatic mini and lead actor for Nicholas Campbell, who was not on hand to accept the award. The CBC mini was the big winner over all four nights of this year’s Geminis, taking six trophies.

‘[Englishman’s Boy] was a labor of love for me personally,’ said Regina-based producer Kevin DeWalt, upon receiving his award, noting that after he optioned the rights to the Guy Vanderhaeghe novel, his biggest challenge was ‘convincing someone in this country to do a historical miniseries.’

Meanwhile, the Showcase mockumentary Cock’d Gunns also nabbed two Geminis, getting the nod for its writing team of Brooks Gray, Andy King, Leo Scherman and Morgan Waters, while its cast won for ensemble performance in a comedy program.

CBC stalwart This Hour Has 22 Minutes pulled off a surprise win for best comedy over fan favorite Corner Gas, while George Stroumboulopoulos nabbed his third win for hosting duties on talk show The Hour.

Other winners on the night included Natasha Henstridge for her performance in the CTV mini Would Be Kings, while Project Runway Canada pulled off a win for best reality program.

In news and sports categories, Vancouver-based Ian Hanomansing scored his first trophy for best news anchor for CBC News at Six, while Ron MacLean nabbed his tenth Gemini, this time for hosting duties on Hockey Day in Canada.

Hanomansing joked on stage that, before flying to Toronto for the ceremony, CBC boss Richard Stursberg had told him to say that he flew on a discounted Tango fare.

‘But I have to admit I’ll submit a receipt for two roast beef sandwiches,’ he added.

The glitzy night was hosted by former Beverly Hills, 90210 star Jason Priestley, while presenters included funnyman Dave Foley, current 90210 star Shenae Grimes and The Tudors‘ leading lady Natalie Dormer.

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This story has been corrected. It now includes Back Alley Films as a producer on Durham County.