New Netflix Drama Explores the Dark Legacy of the Guinness Family

DUBLIN, Ireland – The new Netflix series, ‘House of Guinness,’ transports viewers to 1860s Dublin, focusing on the tumultuous lives of the Guinness family after the death of patriarch Sir Benjamin Guinness. The drama follows siblings Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Ben as they navigate family conflict and business pressures while grappling with their father’s legacy.

Starring Anthony Boyle as Arthur, Louis Partridge as Edward, Emily Fairn as Anne, and Fionn O’Shea as Ben, the series delves into the personal struggles and ambitions of each sibling. The creator, Steven Knight, sought actors who could embody the chemistry of a real family. “Each one was perfect for the role,” he commented.

Set against the backdrop of historical Dublin, ‘House of Guinness’ is inspired by actual events and characters from the Guinness family’s history. Knight explained the limited personal information available for the historical figures, stating, “I had to take the things the family said and did […] and use them as stepping stones to try to fill in the gaps.”

Arthur, the eldest brother, faces emotional turmoil masked by his upper-class confidence, while Edward, the ambitious youngest sibling, strives to take control of the family business. Anne, the sole sister, seeks to carve out her own identity despite her marriage and gender constraints. Meanwhile, Ben struggles with addiction and feels like the black sheep of the family.

Supporting characters like James Norton’s Sean Rafferty and Niamh McCormack’s Ellen Cochrane add layers of complexity to the story. Rafferty, a factory foreman, is instrumental in maintaining order but faces challenges as the siblings assert their authority.

Filmed in the North West of England, including Manchester and Liverpool, the series captures the period’s aesthetics. Knight justified the filming locations by stating that historical Dublin had changed significantly. “We quickly realized we’d have to film elsewhere,” he said, praising the locations for reflecting the era accurately.

With compelling storytelling and rich character development, ‘House of Guinness’ offers a glimpse into a fascinating, troubled chapter of Irish history. The series is now available for streaming on Netflix.