Guy Pearce has spoken of his delight at simulating “sex with Kate Winslet many, many times” when filming Emmy award-winning TV series Mildred Pierce.

Pearce was named outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie at the US Emmy Awards – TV’s Oscars – this weekend.

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The TV adaptation of James Cain’s novel – perhaps best known for the 1945 film version starring Joan Crawford, who won her only Oscar for the title role – also scooped Winslet the best lead actress Emmy.

Pearce told the ceremony: “It was delightful working on Mildred Pierce. I got to have sex with Kate Winslet many, many times. Thank you for allowing me to insert myself into your world of Mildred.”

Pearce played Monty Beragon in the miniseries, the lover of Winslet’s character, Mildred. The pair shared a number of racy on-screen sex scenes.

Aussie actor Pearce has come a long way since starting out as biker Mike in long-running soap Neighbours. After starring in cinema classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, he has gone on to make a name for himself in Hollywood with the likes of LA Confidential and Memento on his CV.

This year’s Emmy Awards was also kind to the Brits. Alongside Winslet’s win, ITV’s period drama Downton Abbey scooped four awards. Named as the outstanding TV miniseries or movie, it also won for its writing (Julian Fellowes) and supporting actress (Maggie Smith).