Why Everyone’s Talking About ‘House of Guinness’ – Netflix’s Newest Period Drama Inspired By A Real Brewing Dynasty

The House of Guinness just landed on Netflix yesterday as its latest historical show, and the hype surrounding it is for good reason. Forget corsets and candlelights – it’s grounded in true family history, smart creative decisions, and some really solid performances. Created by the Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight and based on a loose concept by Guinness family descendant Ivana Lowell, the simple origin question that sets it in motion is surprisingly compelling. What happens when a family with control of an empire loses its head and no one agrees on what comes next?

The story picks up in Dublin, 1868, at the funeral of brewing magnate Sir Benjamin Guinness. The four adult children who attend the funeral, Arthur, Edward, Ben, and Anne – are soon at odds with one another over the will that left Arthur and Edward, two complete opposites in terms of ambition and temperament, to partner as co-leaders of the family business. Anne is pushed into the role of philanthropy by virtue of being a woman, while Ben is left to drift aimlessly, a mess of charm, braggadocio, and booze-fueled incompetence. Add in escalating political unrest in the streets of Dublin (where a violent rebellion against the British-backed economic elite is underway) and you have the makings of some fast-moving, compelling drama.

The series doesn’t shy away from the pull of high stakes, either. It’s fast-paced, leans into the melodrama at just the right time, and its supporting characters like Ellen Cochrane, a revolutionary using blackmail as a weapon or Sean Rafferty, the family’s loyal go-between who can be as dangerous as any of their enemies, played by James Norton. The characters themselves aren’t defined by one single, clear-cut motivation, either. Yet it’s not just because they’re rich and powerful, it’s because they’re a group of human beings with GLARING flaws.

The show looks incredible, with production design that captures the grit and texture of 19th-century Dublin in a way that feels immersive and real. Every set feels inhabited, instead of staged. The soundtrack itself leans aggressive and modern at times, but is well-suited to a show that isn’t afraid to hold back on pulling its viewers into passive consumption. Bottom line, if you like family sagas with a bite; historical fiction that doesn’t feel dusty or inert; or just want to see a new, ambitious series from one of the most reliably good creators in television these days – this is the one to watch. Even if you’ve never given a second thought to who brewed your pint, you’ll find more than enough to invest yourself here. The House of Guinness is streaming on Netflix now, and is well worth your time.