Sarah Paulson is no doubt still reeling after her win at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, and that's largely down to not only pride in herself, but also in the real Marcia Clark because she believes that her new gong represents justice in some way for the prosecutor.

Sarah Paulson and Marcia ClarkSarah Paulson and Marcia Clark were united at the Emmys

Paulson landed Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her role as prosecutor Marcia Clark in 'American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson'. The show followed the court case of the NFL star's murder case, for which he was later acquitted despite many believing that he was guilty of the deaths of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown.

The result of the case must have been an enormous blow for Clark, who Paulson brought with her as her guest to the Emmys on Sunday (September 18th 2016), but the actress hopes her award can be of some comfort. 'That to me feels like the justice that I think she's always deserved', Paulson told Access Hollywood on the red carpet after her win. 

Paulson even persuaded security to let Clark backstage with her to watch their names being engraved on the prize. 'I didn't know it was going to say my name and the character I played', Paulson told Variety. 'But it was incredibly appropriate.'

More: Who else won at the 2016 Emmy awards?

Naturally, Paulson gave Clark a huge nod - and, unexpectedly, an apology - in her acceptance speech. 'The more I learned about the real Marcia Clark, not the two-dimensional carboard cut-out I saw on the news, but the complicated, whip-smart, giant-hearted mother of two who woke up every day, put both feet on the floor and dedicated herself to righting an unconscionable wrong (the loss of two innocents, Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown), the more I had to recognise that I along with the rest of the world had been superficial and careless in my judgement', she told the audience through her tears. 'I'm glad to be able to stand here today in front of everyone and tell you I'm sorry.'

Indeed, learning about just what Clark went through back in 1994 and 1995 must've been harrowing. 'The thing I kept coming back to was I wanted to cut to the quick of how abandoned I felt she was by women, almost as a collective', Paulson added to Variety. 'It just felt like everyone wanted to drop the hot potato that was Marcia Clark. I so felt for her, having only played it. Multiply that by a million, and also have it be your actual life.'