"House of Guinness" Review: Netflix's New Historical Drama Brews Family Trouble

Unpacking the Guinness Family Saga on Netflix with Steven Knight

Steven Knight, the force behind Peaky Blinders, is back with a new Netflix show, House Of Guinness. This series takes us to 1860s Dublin, diving into the world of the famed brewing dynasty. The story begins right after the patriarch's death. It presents a world of family drama and rebellion. However, this show has sparked strong reactions. Some praise it as a hit, while others really dislike it.

Steven Knight's Latest Historical Drama Builds a Complex Narrative

Steven Knight has a name linked with historical dramas. His prior works include Peaky Blinders, SAS: Rogue Heroes, and A Thousand Blows. He has a knack for finding timeless stories within history. House of Guinness follows this pattern. It blends real events with fiction. Knight says some historical events are so surprising you would not make them up. He claims it is immediate that he recognized the Guinness family story as incredible drama. This new show draws comparisons to Succession and Peaky Blinders. Knight takes these comparisons lightly. He feels confident this show stands on its own.

Getting to Know the Guinness Siblings and Their Significant Troubles

The story kicks off in 1868. Sir Benjamin Guinness, the richest man in the country, has just passed away. He leaves behind a brewing empire and four adult children. They are left to run the business. This creates what appears to be a succession crisis.

• Arthur (Anthony Boyle): The eldest son, Arthur wants to cut ties with the family business. He prefers his life in London, filled with "sexing, drinking, and smoking." He returns to Ireland begrudgingly.
• Edward (Louis Partridge): As the youngest brother, Edward shows both ambition and skill to run the company. He follows in Benjamin's footsteps.
• Benjamin (Fionn O’Shea): The middle son, Benjamin struggles with alcoholism and gambling. He often appears drunk.
• Anne (Emily Fairn): The only sister, Anne is described as sickly, emotionally delicate, and deeply religious. She is quickly overlooked for business involvement.

The reading of Benjamin Senior's will upsets everyone. Arthur and Edward are given half the brewery each. They must run it together. Neither can leave without giving up everything to the other. Benjamin gets a monthly allowance. Anne and her husband are left to their existing fortune.

Sean Rafferty (James Norton) is the brewery foreman. He acts as a fixer. His fate becomes connected with the dynasty's power struggles. Norton describes Rafferty as an amalgamation of many different people from that time.

The Fenian Uprising and External Pressures Facing the Family

Beyond internal family arguments, the Guinnesses face external challenges. The Irish independence-supporting Fenians represent one of these forces. This group includes siblings Paddy (Seamus O'Hara) and Ellen Cochrane (Niamh McCormack). They despise the family's conservative unionist policies. Religious groups also criticize the morality of selling alcohol.

Tensions quickly surface in the premiere episode. Protesters gather at the old man's funeral procession. Company men prepare to fight back. Comedian Garron Noone, a self-styled "Irish cultural police," noted the first episode swiftly introduces rebels. He states it takes under four minutes for someone to shout "Free Ireland from the English!"

Divided Opinions: Why "House of Guinness" Creates Such Different Criticisms

The show has received very different reactions across the globe. Reviewers in the US and UK have largely praised the series. However, Irish critics have met it with significant disapproval.

American and British Praise for This Dublin Dynasty Show

American and British critics have lauded the story of the brewing family. They call it a stylish and entertaining trip through 1860s Dublin. The Guardian found it "irresistible." The BBC stated, "Plenty of people will happily gulp it down." The Los Angeles Times described it as "Good craic."

The eight-part show debuted with an 89% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Magazines such as Tatler and Vogue published lavish profiles of the real Guinness family. National Public Radio's review said Knight understands how to bring period dramas to life. Their only complaint involved some hard-to-understand accents. They concluded "The story, and the intrigue – those translate perfectly."

Irish Critics' Strong Dislike for the Historical Portrayal

Despite the overseas acclaim, Irish critics show strong disapproval. They dislike the portrayal of Ireland’s history. They also dislike the dialogue, costumes, and lighting. Netflix even added Irish subtitles, yet the critics remained unhappy.

The Irish Times review criticized the show’s "rudimentary understanding of Ireland’s experiences of colonialism." It also noted a "stunning lack of appreciation for who the Anglo-Irish were." The review joked that James Norton's character, Rafferty, sounded like "a steampunk Mr Tayto." It also claimed the Fenians "dress and speak like feral leprechauns."

The Irish Independent called the show a "shocker." It said the show lost any sense of genuineness. They noted cliches arrived quickly. The paper complained characters swore too much for credibility. It also stated the story twisted history. They pointed out the producers say the series is fiction, but warned popular history often becomes dangerous fiction. The Irish Examiner titled its review "all pour, no pint." It stated the show lacks the comedy of Succession and the tension of Peaky Blinders. The Irish Times went further. It described a scene so bad it might make Guinness drinkers switch to a rival stout.

The portrayal of Ireland’s post-famine politics and the underground revolutionaries also brought widespread scorn. A Reddit contributor questioned the costume design. They asked why all Fenians wore "literal spirit Halloween leprechaun costumes." Garron Noone jokingly endorsed a "Guinness-pouring tutorial" scene and a funeral brawl. He did deduct points for a lack of sandwiches at the funeral. Irish critics also mentioned clunky dialogue and dim lighting. They felt no amount of explosions and sex could hide the story’s dullness.

What Works and What Falls Short in This New Netflix Series

House of Guinness, like any big production, has its strong points and its weaknesses. It attempts to grab attention with splashy moments.

Striking Visuals and Strong Performances from the Talented Cast

The show does feature sumptuous cinematography. It has big-budget sets, which even won praise from Irish critics. The soundtrack also stands out. It features thumping contemporary Irish bands like Fontaines DC and Kneecap. This provides a "punk rock" feel within a 19th-century setting.

Regarding performances, the cast largely escaped accent criticism, despite Irish critics' usual disdain for poor Irish accents. James Norton's portrayal and accent for Rafferty received praise. Anthony Boyle brings depth to Arthur. Louis Partridge shows Edward's ambition. Emily Fairn delivers emotional scenes as Anne. Fionn O'Shea's portrayal of Benjamin adds to the drama. Danielle Galligan as Lady Olivia Hedges and Niamh McCormack as Ellen Cochrane also give memorable performances. Jack Gleeson, known for Game of Thrones, delights as a slippery negotiator. Michael McElhatton also elevates his scenes as the long-suffering butler.

Danielle Galligan loved learning about Lady Olivia. She found out Olivia, though a "firecracker" in the series, was also solitary and painted watercolours. Galligan stated telling an Irish story on a global stage was a unique experience. Niamh McCormack and Jack Gleeson expressed pride in being part of a series that presents Ireland to the world. Gleeson hopes people do not take it too seriously as a historical document.

Narrative Pacing and Character Depth Challenges That Arise

Where the show struggles a bit is in its narrative pacing and character depth. Some reviewers described later episodes as "tedious and repetitive." They felt it dragged on to fill eight episodes. Overstuffed episodes seemed to lessen the plot's impact. Intriguing elements, like a forbidden romance, were introduced but then set aside. Anne and Benjamin also received less screentime as the season continued. This is unfortunate, as Fairn's performance as Anne leads to some of the show's most emotional moments.

The series uses some unannounced time jumps. These require viewers' undivided attention to make sense. It often prioritizes "high-drama plot beats" over "incremental evolution" for its characters. This can keep viewers at an "arm’s length." The show also tends to soften its characters. It makes them easier to sympathize with. This happens even when dealing with darker flaws like Edward's potential for power drunkenness or Rafferty's sadistic tendencies. These flaws tend to disappear as characters grow.

Filming Locations and Production Insights From Behind the Scenes

Steven Knight, the creator, filmed most of House of Guinness in Liverpool. This is noteworthy as the story is set in Dublin. The show also depicts Ashford Castle, a historical Guinness family property. However, what viewers see onscreen is not the real Ashford Castle. Instead, production designer Richard Bullock used Penrhyn Castle in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales.

Bullock stated they were not very precise to Ashford Castle. They chose the Welsh castle for its similar setting, with mountains and proximity to the sea. He described it as "cinematic." Bullock added that the chosen location helped tell the story of "extreme wealth gone a bit over the top." The castle portrays the family's wealth and social ambitions.

James Norton admitted being "so scared on the first day" when filming with a mainly Irish cast. He worked hard on his accent. Norton says he used a specific line, "'I see your three names written in black ash up there,'" to get back into the accent for subsequent scenes.

The Future of "House of Guinness": Will There Be a Second Season?

The first season of House of Guinness ends with a cliffhanger. Patrick Cochrane fires a shot, but the target remains unknown. This leaves the door open for more story. Steven Knight has openly stated his desire to continue the show. In an interview, he mentioned wanting to take the 19th-century story into the century that follows. Knight feels the real Guinness family history offers enough drama to continue. They keep making mistakes and doing wonderful things. This provides plenty of material for a continuation.

The real Arthur Guinness was not assassinated. He lived until 1915. However, the Guinness family was affected by assassination in other ways. Walter Guinness, son of the real Edward and Adelaide, was killed in 1944. This occurred due to a Zionist paramilitary group. Such events could provide storylines for future seasons.

A second season depends on Netflix viewership. The show's performance in the coming weeks and months will determine if it gets renewed. Knight is also busy with other projects. He is writing the script for the next James Bond film. He is also promoting the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man.

A Toast to the Drama, Its Flaws, and All the Charms

House of Guinness may not completely avoid its issues. It faces criticism, particularly from Ireland. Yet, it delivers a diverting historical drama. It is strengthened by a strong cast and a distinct identity. The bold approach to its soundtrack and subtitles feels fresh. It does not shy away from the darker aspects of the times. It presents inequality and complicated family dynamics.

The show leaves its characters in a different situation than it found them. Not necessarily better, but certainly in intriguing places. Arthur and Edward deal with marriages of compromise. Benjamin is less drunk, but still drinks. Anne, though weakened, has made the Guinness name synonymous with kindness. This drama presents a compelling tale of family, ambition, and the true cost of staying at the top. It ultimately makes for a pretty fun experience. It goes down smoothly, much like a good stout.