Netflix’s House of Guinness Drama Explores Brewery Heirs’ Turmoil

Bangor, Wales — A new Netflix drama titled House of Guinness follows the tumultuous aftermath of Sir Benjamin Guinness‘s death, set in 19th-century Dublin and New York. The series, which launched on September 25, utilizes Penrhyn Castle, located in north Wales, to portray the original family’s home in Ireland.

The show, created by Steven Knight, famed for Peaky Blinders, recounts the story of Sir Benjamin’s four children—Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Ben—who are left to navigate the brewing empire after their father’s passing in 1868. It’s the extraordinary story of a family who happens to be the inheritors of the biggest brewery in the world, Knight said during a press conference.

The series depicts the complex dynamics among the heirs as they grapple with their inheritance amid personal and social conflict. Knight noted that the filming locations were primarily in north Wales and northwest England, as contemporary Dublin is very different from its 1860s self.

Executive producer Karen Wilson shared that their search for accurate settings led them across the UK and Ireland. We had to move around more than a TV production usually would. Places like Manchester, Liverpool, and north Wales gave us what we needed, she explained.

Ceri Williams, general manager for Penrhyn Castle at the National Trust, expressed pride in hosting the series, emphasizing similar themes of wealth and class disparities distinct in both the show and the castle’s history. It explores wealth, class disparities and conflict, similar to the themes we explore here at Penrhyn, Williams noted.

The historical context of the show is significant, as it intertwines facts from the Guinness family’s actual history, including the brewery’s rise established by Arthur Guinness in 1759. This blend of drama and history has prompted comparisons to other successful series like Succession and The Crown.

Knight revealed that Ivana Lowell, a real-life Guinness heiress, collaborated on shaping the narrative, pointing out the family’s complex legacy. We’re not high and mighty about our reputation, we have a very good sense of humour about ourselves, Lowell added.

The drama represents a significant moment in Irish storytelling, showcasing culture alongside the family saga, and exemplifying the historical weight carried by figures like Sir Benjamin Guinness.

As the series unfolds, audiences are drawn into the lives of its fascinating characters, crafted to reflect both reality and the artistic interpretation of a renowned family’s legacy.