From the mind of Steven Knight comes House of Guinness, the new show that has become an instant streaming sensation. The series is an immersive historical drama that delves into the complex history of the family behind the renowned brewing company in 19th-century Ireland and New York. The eight-episode series chronicles the aftermath of Benjamin Guinness’ death, the man responsible for the brewery’s phenomenal success, and follows how his four grown children fought to keep the company afloat.
Featuring the talents of a large and decorated cast led by Anthony Boyle, Louis Partridge, and Emily Fairn, the drama is yet another exciting project from Knight, who notably helped create acclaimed shows like Peaky Blinders, Taboo, and A Thousand Blows (to name just a few), and fills the void left behind by the fan-favorite Cillian Murphy-starring series.
The Colorful History of a Brewing Empire Is Explored in ‘House of Guinness’
Netflix
Steven Knight is the master of crafting a gritty and immersive series, having transported viewers to the tough streets of Birmingham, where Thomas Shelby ruled supreme in the cultural phenomenon Peaky Blinders. Now, he returns with another riveting tale in the historical drama House of Guinness, which delves into the history of the powerful titular family as they take over the brewing empire in 1860s Dublin. After the death of patriarch Benjamin Guinness, his four children find themselves at a crossroads with their futures as they discover the contents of their father’s cunning will.
Heiress Ivana Lowell, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Benjamin, actually conceptualized the initial premise for House of Guinness after watching Downton Abbey. She later met with Knight so he could “hear about all of the family and the stories and the legends and the myths and the rumors within the family” and observe “that Guinness attitude.” Lowell was hands-on with the TV series, serving as an executive producer alongside Knight, and helped House of Guinness remain historically accurate while accurately representing the dynamics between Benjamin’s children.
The historical drama touts a star-studded cast of familiar faces appearing as Benjamin’s children: Enola Holmes star Louis Partridge as the ambitious Edward Guinness, Anthony Boyle (Masters of the Air, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as the disinterested Arthur, Saturday Night’s Emily Fairn as the devout Anne Guinness, and Fionn O’Shea (Normal People) as the booze-loving Ben. All the Guinness kids attempt to navigate the brewery business now that their father is gone, and they butt heads while trying to figure out how best to grow their family’s empire and preserve the legacy Benjamin had previously established.
Steven Knight Masterfully Honors the Guinness Family Legacy
Netflix
Ivana Lowell’s idea to chronicle her family’s rise to prominence resulted in the heiress writing a 20-page story detailing the prominent events, elements, and circumstances surrounding the establishment of the Guinness empire. Steven Knight believed that the historical drama should pick up in the wake of Benjamin Guinness’ death, allowing his children to be the focal point of the series. The lore surrounding Benjamin’s will, the simmering tension between brothers Arthur and Edward (who would ultimately oversee the business), and the effects the brewery had on their political and social standings are chronicled in the show’s eight episodes.
Knight was excited to delve into the complexities of the famous family, whom he described as a “naturally wild” clan in an interview with Breaking News ahead of the drama’s release. He praised Lowell’s meticulous research as a major reason the Netflix original was able to be fully developed for the small screen. Her involvement in the project helped Knight better understand the “confidence, the spirit, and the slight madness” of the family, which allowed him to more fully flesh out the Guinness children and their role in the brewery empire. Knight said of the engrossing drama:
“It’s the extraordinary story of a family who happens to be the inheritors of the biggest brewery in the world. They’re young and are given the task of taking on this incredibly successful brand. The first priority is: Don’t screw it up. And the second priority is to make Guinness even bigger.”
House of Guinness takes place in 1868 Dublin and not only examines the fierce war brewing among the spirited clan but also depicts the political climate of the city and the influence of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, which fought to free Ireland from Britain’s rule. While fictional elements were added for the sake of the storyline, Knight made it his mission to accurately depict the Guinness family and show how they grew the brewery amid the turmoil following Benjamin’s death. The result is a thrilling experience from start to finish. House of Guinness is streaming on Netflix.
Release Date
September 25, 2025
Network
Netflix
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Anthony Boyle
Arthur Guinness
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Louis Partridge
Edward Guinness
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Emily Fairn
Anne Guinness
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Fionn O’Shea
Benjamin Guinness
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