House of Guinness Draws Comparisons to 1860s Irish Succession
House of Guinness is a new Netflix series that takes you back to the 1860s in Ireland. It’s an eight-part show created by Steven Knight, the same person who made Peaky Blinders. The story is about the famous Guinness family and their big beer company. It starts right after the death of the family leader, Sir Benjamin Guinness.
Via HistoryExtra
His four grown kids have to figure out how to run the business and deal with all sorts of problems. The show mixes real history with made-up parts to make it exciting. It feels like a family fight over money and power, set in old times. People say it’s like the show Succession, but with beer and Irish accents.
The series came out on September 25, 2025, and it’s already getting a lot of attention. The show opens with a note that says it’s fiction inspired by true stories. This means the writers can change things to make the plot more fun. You see the family in Dublin, where the brewery is huge. There’s also some action in New York, where Guinness beer is starting to sell.
Via BBC
The kids face troubles from rebels in Ireland who don’t like the family’s ties to England. It’s full of drama, secrets, and surprises. If you like stories about rich families with big problems, this might be for you. The episodes are about an hour each, so it’s easy to binge-watch over a weekend.
The Creator – Steven Knight
Steven Knight is the man behind House of Guinness. He’s a British writer known for making intense shows about the past. His biggest hit is Peaky Blinders, which is about a gang in England after World War I. That show has tough characters, fights, and a cool style. Knight also made A Thousand Blows, another period drama. He likes to tell stories from history but adds his own twists. In House of Guinness, he focuses on Ireland in the 1860s, a time of big changes.
Via The Hollywood Reporter
Knight grew up in England and started as a writer for movies and TV. He wrote scripts for films like Eastern Promises. He says he got the idea for this show from the real Guinness story. He wanted to show how a family business can cause fights among brothers and sisters. Knight is good at making old times feel real.
He uses music, clothes, and sets that look just like the 1800s. In interviews, he talks about how beer was important in Ireland back then. It was more than a drink; it was a big part of the economy. Knight makes sure the show has strong women characters, too, even though women had fewer rights in the 1860s.
Via Radio Times
Historical Background
The story is set in 1868, right after Sir Benjamin Guinness dies. He was a real person who built the Guinness brewery into a giant company. Started in 1759 by his dad, Arthur Guinness, it grew to be the biggest brewery in the world. Benjamin was rich and powerful. He was the mayor of Dublin and even in Parliament. But Ireland was not free then.
It was ruled by England, and many Irish people wanted independence. There were groups like the Fenians who fought against British rule. They were like early rebels. The Guinness family was Protestant, which meant they were closer to the English rulers. Most Irish people were Catholic and faced hard times. There was a big famine in the 1840swhiche many died from hunger.
Via The Wall Street Journal
This made people angry at England. The Guinnesses gave money to help the poor, like fixing churches and building houses. But some saw them as too friendly with the British. In the show, this causes protests and danger for the family. Benjamin left the brewery to his sons, but in real life, it went mostly to Arthur first, then Edward. The show changes this to add more drama. Ireland in the 1860s was changing. People moved to cities like Dublin for work.
The brewery hired thousands. Beer was safe to drink because water was often dirty. Guinness became famous for its dark stout. The family also had homes in England and titles like lords. This made them part of high society. But with freedom fighters around, it was risky. The Fenians even tried to attack Canada to get attention. The show uses these real events to make the story feel true.
Via What’s On Netflix
Plot Overview
The plot kicks off with Benjamin’s death. At the will reading, the kids learn who gets what. Arthur and Edward have to share the brewery. They can’t quit or they lose it all. Ben gets less because he’s wild. Anne gets even less because she’s a girl. Right away, they start planning how to get more.
There are secrets, like blackmail from a woman named Ellen. She knows things that could hurt the family. The story moves between Dublin and New York. In Ireland, rebels cause trouble. The family deals with workers, money problems, and fights among themselves. In America, Guinness beer is new, and they are trying to sell it there.
Via Grazia daily
There’s romance, betrayal, and action. One brother gambles too much. Another has hidden feelings. The sister wants more power. Outside the family, there’s a tough foreman who schemes. The show builds tension with cliffhangers in each episode. Without giving away endings, the series shows how ambition can tear people apart.
It has intense talks and sudden twists. By the middle, things get complicated with more characters. It ends with a big setup for maybe more seasons. The pace is fast, but sometimes it repeats ideas. Overall, it’s a tale of family legacy in hard times.
Via Belfast Telegraph
Key Characters and Cast
The cast brings the story to life. Anthony Boyle plays Arthur, the oldest brother. He’s serious and thinks he’s the best. But he has a secret that could ruin him. Boyle is known from Masters of the Air. Louis Partridge is Edward, the youngest. He’s smart but young. Partridge was in Enola Holmes. Fionn O’Shea plays Ben, the wild one who likes parties and bets. He’s from Normal People.
Emily Fairn is Anne, the sister. She’s strong and clever, fighting for her share. Fairn was in The Responder. James Norton stars as Sean Rafferty, the brewery boss. He’s tough and charming, with big plans. Norton is from Happy Valley. Niamh McCormack plays Ellen Cochrane, a bold woman from outside the rich world. She uses tricks to get ahead. Danielle Galligan is Lady Olivia, who smartly joins the family.
Via Rayo
Other actors include Jack Gleeson as a rebel type. He’s famous from Game of Thrones. Dervla Kirwan and Michael McElhatton add depth as older characters. The acting is strong, with everyone getting moments to stand out. The Irish accents are real, but subtitles help if they’re hard to understand.
Themes and Comparisons
House of Guinness explores themes like family rivalry. The kids fight over money, just like in real life. It shows how wealth doesn’t make you happy. There’s also power and gender. Anne struggles because she’s a woman in the 1860s. Women couldn’t vote or own much. The show highlights Irish pride and the fight for freedom. Rebels want change, and the family is caught in the middle.
Via Forbes
It compares to Succession, where rich kids battle for a company. Both have mean talks and schemes. Like Peaky Blinders, it has grit and style from the past. The Gilded Age is similar to fancy clothes and society drama. But this one adds Irish history and the beer business.
It’s not as violent as Peaky, but it has intense parts. The music and looks make it feel modern. Ambition costs a lot, the show says. Characters make bad choices for power. It also touches on religion, with Protestants vs. Catholics. This adds real depth to the story.
Via Glamour UK
Reception and Reviews
The show has good reviews so far. Critics give it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. They like the drama and acting. One says it’s like a smooth pint of beer. Audiences score it 64%, maybe because some find it slow. Reviewers praise Knight for making history fun. They say it’s engaging but not his best like Peaky Blinders.
Some call it a romp with heart. James Norton’s role gets big cheers for being exciting. But a few say it gets repetitive. Overall, it’s recommended for fans of period shows. People enjoy the Irish setting and family fights.
Via ELLE
Many also highlight the show’s strong production values. The costumes, set design, and atmosphere bring the time period to life, making viewers feel fully immersed. This attention to detail helps balance out the slower parts, giving the series a polished, cinematic feel.
Explore How House of Guinness Mirrors an 1860s Irish Succession
You should watch House of Guinness if you like history with twists. It’s informative about old Ireland without being boring. Learn about beer making and rebellions while enjoying the story. The actors are great, and the sets look real. It’s perfect for fall nights with a drink.
Via Radio Times
If you loved Succession or Peaky, this fits right in. It’s not too scary, but it has an edge. Families can watch, but talk about the themes. Netflix makes it easy to stream. Give it a try; you might want more seasons.
House of Guinness is a fresh take on an old story. It mixes fact and fun to show a family’s ups and downs. With a strong cast and Knight’s touch, it’s worth your time. In a world of many shows, this one stands out for its Irish flavor.
