Georgina Campbell (above) was a surprise Bafta winner, claiming the leading actress award, which had been largely tipped to be taken by Sheridan Smith.
The young actor won for her portrayal of a domestic violence victim in BBC 3's Murdered by My Boyfriend.
Shaking as she picked up her gong the little known actress said: “This is insane. The women who are in this category are absolutely brilliant.
“If I have the career they have in a few years’ time I will count myself very, very, lucky.”
Sherlock might have won a gong but Benedict Cumberbatch again missed out on a television Bafta for his portrayal of the master detective.
Instead the leading actor role went to Jason Watkins for his portrayal of the murder accused in ITV's drama The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies.
It was Cumberbatch’s third nomination for his performance in the hit BBC show, which took home the Radio Times Audience Award.
The Hollywood actor was not at the ceremony to collect the award, and instead was said to be looking after his new wife who is heavily pregnant.