Brie Larson wins the Golden Globe for best actress

Brie Larson poses in the press room with the award for best actress in a motion picture - drama for 'Room' at the 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- In one of the most competitive categories of the year, it was Brie Larson who walked away with the Golden Globe award for best actress in a drama on Sunday for her work in "Room."

In the film directed by Lenny Abrahamson and adapted from Emma Donoghue's novel, Larson plays Ma, a woman living in captivity with her young son who was fathered by her captor.

On stage, Larson gave a heartfelt speech thanking Donoghue, Abrahamson, and her young co-star Jacob Tremblay.

"I'm sorry to anyone I forgot," Larson said. "I'll send you a thank you card."

Larson's win was not exactly unexpected, but she did have some formidable opponents in the category. She was up against awards favourites Saoirse Ronan for "Brooklyn" and Cate Blanchett for "Carol." Other nominees were Rooney Mara ("Carol") and Alicia Vikander ("The Danish Girl"). Vikander was also nominated in the supporting actress category for "Ex Machina," but lost out to Kate Winslet who won for "Steve Jobs."

Many of the Globes' dramatic nominees, especially Ronan, Blanchett, and Larson, are considered locks for an Academy Award nomination too. Oscar nominations will be revealed on Thursday.

Julianne Moore won last year for her portrayal of a woman living with early onset Alzheimer's Disease in "Still Alice" and went on to win the best actress Oscar, too.