House of Guinness Series Faces Criticism from Family Descendants

DUBLIN, Ireland — The new Netflix series, House of Guinness, reveals fictionalized tales about the brewing dynasty’s heirs in the late 1800s. Created by Steven Knight, the show combines factual history with imaginative storytelling to illustrate the complex lives of the Guinness family.

In a recent interview, Knight explained, “What I had to do is take things that these family members did, things that they said, achievements they made, mistakes that they made, and use them as steppingstones.” He then admitted, “I had to fill in the gaps myself.” While many audiences are accustomed to dramatic embellishments in historical fiction, some Guinness descendants express discontent with the series.

Molly Guinness, great-great-granddaughter of Edward Guinness, criticized the show in an op-ed for a London newspaper, calling it “unjust.” She remarked, “Every episode starts with the weaselly old Netflix disclaimer ‘This fiction is inspired by true stories.’” Molly specifically took issue with the depiction of her ancestors, stating that “All the characters come straight from a bingo card of modern clichés about rich people.”

Among the fictionalized characters is Sean Rafferty, played by James Norton, a henchman of the Guinness family. Moreover, Arthur Guinness’s portrayal, especially in terms of his sexuality, sparked discussions regarding the accuracy of historic details. “These are stories that I’ve always heard. But it’s a drama, not history, so Steve was free to invent,” said Ivana Lowell, a family member who inspired the series.

House of Guinness has not only ignited controversy but has also drawn a substantial viewing audience. After its premiere on September 25, Netflix secured a deal with Knight for two additional seasons of a related series. Knight confirmed, “We are going to do season 2, and 3, and 4.” He expressed enthusiasm about continuing the story into the 20th century.

Despite complaints from some family members, the series seems to resonate with viewers, blending elements of crime and family dynamics akin to popular shows like Succession. While the authenticity of historical characters may be loosely interpreted, the series keeps audiences intrigued.