Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 26, 2025 · Entertainment

From The Crown to Beer: Netflix's New Drama Takes on the Guinness Dynasty

Dubbed The Crown... with beer, Netflix's House Of Guinness follows four siblings fighting over the family fortune after their father dies (pictured is star James Norton)

Scandal, Sex, and Steam: The Juicy Tale of Ireland's Richest Family

Get ready for a drama that will leave you breathless! Netflix's latest epic series, House Of Guinness, is about to spill all the secrets of Ireland's wealthiest family in the late 19th century. With its lavish parties, steamy affairs, and high-stakes power struggles, this show is guaranteed to keep you hooked.

Based on a true story, House Of Guinness follows the lives of four Guinness siblings as they fight for control of their family's vast fortune after their father's death. But be warned: these aristocrats are not your typical prim-and-proper Victorian types. Oh no, they're a wild and reckless bunch, always pushing the boundaries and living life to the fullest.

Dervla Kirwan describes the show as 'riotous and sexy', while James Norton says, 'It's about power, sex and desire'

The show's creator, Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight, has taken creative liberties with the family's history, filling in the gaps with his own imagination and seasoning the scripts with expletives and punky contemporary music. But don't worry, it's all based on real events – or at least, that's what we're told!

The series kicks off with a raucous Republican anthem from Irish rappers Kneecap, setting the tone for a drama that's equal parts The Crown, Succession, and Peaky Blinders. You'll be transported to 1860s Dublin, where the Guinness family ruled over their vast brewery empire like royalty.

But behind the scenes of this opulent lifestyle, secrets were hiding in plain sight. The family's patriarch, Sir Benjamin Guinness, may have had a reputation for being a bit of a ladies' man, but his son Arthur was rumored to be gay – a fact that could have landed him in jail at the time. And then there's the scandalous affair between Arthur and Lady Olivia Hedges, an aristocrat who's trapped in a loveless marriage.

Creator Steven Knight said: 'Throughout the family history, all the way up to the present, the Guinnesses have flirted with all kinds of political ideas, hanging out with artists, drunks and drug-takers'

As the series unfolds, you'll meet a cast of characters so eccentric, they'd put even the most seasoned soap opera addict to shame. There's Rafferty, the brewery foreman with a penchant for getting into trouble; Anne, the sister who's not afraid to speak her mind and indulge in extra-marital sex; and Benjamin, the brother who's hooked on drink and laudanum.

But amidst all the scandal and debauchery, House Of Guinness also explores the lives of the poor workers at the brewery. It's a fascinating glimpse into the working-class struggles of the time, and one that adds depth and nuance to the show's otherwise racy storyline.

The production values are top-notch, with elaborate sets and costumes that transport you straight back to 19th-century Dublin. The attention to detail is staggering – from the horse manure on set (yes, really!) to the steam machines and coal furnaces that brought the brewery to life.

As the brains behind sweeping dramas such as SAS Rogue Heroes and A Thousand Blows, Steven Knight is known for taking true stories and giving them a spin

So who's behind this juicy drama? Ivana Lowell, a real member of the Guinness family, came up with the idea after attending Christmas dinner at her relatives' home. She thought, "This would make an amazing TV show!" And now, thanks to Netflix, we get to indulge in all the scandals and secrets of Ireland's richest family.

But don't worry, folks – this isn't just a documentary about old money and privilege. House Of Guinness has it all: romance, drama, power struggles, and even a touch of magic realism (courtesy of Steven Knight's imagination). And let's be honest – who wouldn't want to watch a show about a family that's equal parts The Kennedys and The Waltons?

So mark your calendars for September 25th, when House Of Guinness streams exclusively on Netflix. Trust us: this one's going to be a wild ride.

Knight has said, the appeal of the Guinness family is not just their social and political status, nor their wealth, but also their love of parties and flirting with scandal

Meet the Cast

  • Anthony Boyle (Arthur Guinness) - "I was terrified of being discovered as gay in those times," he says.
  • Emily Fairn (Anne Guinness) - "I loved playing opposite Dervla Kirwan – we would shoot daggers at each other on screen, all while smiling politely."
  • James Norton (Rafferty) - "It's about power, sex, and desire. The messy, knotty parts of life."

What the Cast Says

"The Guinness family was always a bit eccentric," says Ivana Lowell. "But I think what makes this show special is that it's not just about their wealth and privilege – it's also about their philanthropy and social reform."

"I'm in awe of the Guinness family's zest for life, their lust for life, often literally," says Steven Knight.

"It's a recipe for depression, gin, and disaster," warns Dervla Kirwan (Aunt Agnes) - "Women were trapped between two worlds: they couldn't vote or control their finances, but at least they could drink gin."

The Verdict

House Of Guinness is a juicy drama that will keep you hooked from start to finish. With its scandalous affairs, high-stakes power struggles, and lavish parties, this show has it all. So mark your calendars for September 25th – we promise you won't be disappointed.

Watch House Of Guinness on Netflix from September 25th

Sources:

TheScholarlyNote.com (Original article)