Netflix’s ‘House of Guinness’: A Dramatic Legacy Unfolds

DUBLIN, Ireland — Netflix’s newest historical drama, ‘House of Guinness,’ opened to viewers on September 25, 2023. The series, created by Steven Knight of ‘Peaky Blinders‘ fame, explores the power struggles within the Guinness family following the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1868.

The show is set against the backdrop of Dublin, during a time of growing revolutionary sentiment in Ireland. It delves into the lives of Benjamin’s four children—Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Benjamin Jr.—as they confront the future of their renowned brewing empire, which still holds a prominent place in the world today.

Anthony Boyle stars as Arthur Guinness, who returns from London to take on the family’s business amid internal conflicts with his politically ambitious brother Edward, played by Louis Partridge. Partridge’s character is marked by a more business-oriented mindset, aiming to improve the brewery and its workers’ conditions, albeit feeling isolated from the family.

Emily Fairn portrays Anne Plunket, the sister who faces the era’s inheritance laws preventing her from owning a stake in the business. Instead, she navigates her brothers’ lives through matchmaking. Meanwhile, Fionn O’Shea takes on the role of the youngest sibling, Ben, who grapples with the shadow of his family’s expectations and personal demons.

James Norton plays Sean Rafferty, a pivotal figure who helps maintain stability within the brewery while the heirs jockey for position. The character reflects the conflicting pressures of loyalty and ambition the siblings face.

As Ireland’s revolutionary spirit simmers, Ellen Cochrane, portrayed by Niamh McCormack, takes a stand for independence, offering a contrasting viewpoint of non-violence to her brother Patrick, played by Seamus O’Hara, a Fenian Brotherhood member.

Filming for ‘House of Guinness’ took place mainly in Wales and England, replicating 1868 Dublin with locations like Penrhyn Castle. Executive producer Karen Wilson notes, ‘Places like Manchester, Liverpool, and north Wales gave us what we needed to portray the period authentically.’

Wilson emphasizes the show’s exploration of wealth and class disparities, a theme that resonates with the real history of the Guinness family. The brewery’s legacy is intertwined with social and economic change in Ireland, making it an appealing subject for storytelling.

With strong performances and a compelling narrative, ‘House of Guinness’ promises to highlight the intricate dynamics of a family navigating ambition and inheritance, all while encapsulating the essence of a tumultuous period in Irish history.

As expressed by creator Steven Knight, ‘It’s a dynamite story; the characters are so interesting. The reading of the will is a dramatic moment that sets the siblings on different paths, all while dealing with their father’s substantial legacy.’