British actor Olivia Colman, as temperamental Queen Anne in The Favourite, bested Hollywood veteran Glenn Close to win her maiden Best Actress Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Colman and Close, nominated for her role of a bitter wife to a literary giant in The Wife, were in a neck-and-neck fight for the coveted golden knight. Colman gave a nod to fellow nominee Close, who was a favourite in the category, and said she did not want to win an Oscar while her "idol" lost.

"It is genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious, I have got an Oscar! To be in this category with these extraordinary women. Glenn Close, you have been my idol for so long. This is not how I wanted it to be. I love you all," she said in her acceptance. The actor also thanked film's director Yorgos Lanthimos and co-stars Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone.