Take the intrigue and style of Peaky Blinders, set it in the heart of 1860s Dublin, and you get House of Guinness—Netflix’s latest period drama that’s already causing a stir among critics and viewers alike. Released on September 25, 2025, this eight-episode series is the brainchild of Steven Knight, the Oscar-nominated creator behind Peaky Blinders, and it’s quickly being hailed as a worthy successor to his earlier work. But this is no mere imitation: House of Guinness stands on its own, weaving a tale of family, power, and ambition against the lush, tumultuous backdrop of Victorian Ireland.
The story kicks off with the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness, the legendary brewing magnate who transformed St. James’s Gate Brewery into an empire that would become synonymous with Irish identity. His passing leaves behind four adult children—Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Benjamin "Ben" (Fionn O’Shea)—each harboring secrets and ambitions that threaten to tear the family apart. The reading of the patriarch’s will is the spark: Arthur and Edward are handed joint control of the Guinness fortune and assets, while Anne and Ben are shut out, Anne for being a married woman and Ben for his struggles with addiction. The catch? If either Arthur or Edward walks away, their share goes to the other, setting the stage for a season of escalating tension, betrayal, and uneasy alliances.
According to The Sporting News, what makes House of Guinness so irresistible is its ability to blend genres and themes, satisfying period drama aficionados, history buffs, and anyone who loves a juicy family saga. The show’s production design and cinematography are particularly lauded, with every cobblestone, candlelit corridor, and velvet-draped parlor meticulously recreated to evoke 1860s Dublin. The visual storytelling is so rich you can almost smell the hops and hear the clatter of horse-drawn carriages outside the brewery gates.
But it’s not just about pretty pictures. The scripts, as noted by The Viewers Perspective, are as sharp and economical as those in Peaky Blinders, with scenes that land a punch and leave you wanting more. “The family—it has the same energy, humour, and swagger,” Knight told the BBC. That’s no exaggeration. The Guinness heirs must navigate not only their internal squabbles but also a city simmering with Fenian unrest, political intrigue, and the ever-present threat of public scandal. The stakes are as much about influence—parliament, philanthropy, labor—as they are about survival. The siblings’ struggles are not merely personal; they’re intertwined with Ireland’s own fight for identity and autonomy.
Costume and character go hand in hand here. Just as Peaky Blinders made news for its razor-sharp suits and iconic caps, House of Guinness uses wardrobe as a storytelling device. Black frock coats and crisp cravats signal boardroom maneuvering, while linen and soot mark the working-class grit of the brewery floor. Anne’s evolving wardrobe mirrors her transformation from sidelined daughter to philanthropic force, her practical cuts hardening as her resolve grows. Olivia Hedges-White (Danielle Galligan), meanwhile, wears polished silhouettes that speak to negotiation and power, not just seduction.
The music, too, is a character in its own right. Drawing from contemporary Irish artists, folk standards, and sweeping orchestral scores, the soundtrack bridges centuries, infusing each scene with emotion and historical resonance. It’s not just background noise; it’s memory set to melody, with politics and grief woven into every note. The cinematography follows suit, using cooler palettes for the power rooms, warm tones for working quarters, and harsh daylight to expose the family’s public and private battles.
Critics have responded enthusiastically. On Rotten Tomatoes, House of Guinness debuted with an 80% critic score, a number expected to climb as more reviews pour in. Sarah Moran of Screen Rant praised the show’s “soapy, sexy drama that plays fast and loose with history,” noting that whatever it might lack in substance, it more than compensates for with style. The middle episodes are singled out as the strongest, where the drama’s big swings and outrageous circumstances are matched by performances that never miss a beat. The casting, from Boyle’s confident Arthur to O’Shea’s troubled Ben, is described as “incredibly effective across the board.”
For fans of Peaky Blinders, the similarities are more than skin deep. Both shows center on families clawing their way to the top in hostile environments—one in post-World War I Birmingham, the other in Victorian Dublin. The Guinness siblings’ battles echo the Shelbys’, but with a distinctly Irish flavor. Arthur Guinness’s parliamentary ambitions mirror Tommy Shelby’s political maneuvering, while Ben’s struggles with addiction and debt recall Arthur Shelby’s volatility. Anne Guinness, much like Polly Gray, anchors the family with moral clarity, turning her private grief into public action. Olivia’s choices, meanwhile, map the personal cost of alliances that are anything but simple.
The historical context is never far from the surface. While Peaky Blinders drew from the real-life gang and the social fallout of World War I, House of Guinness is rooted in the Guinness family’s rise during Ireland’s 1868 crossroads, with rebellion and religion as constant pressures. The show blends fact and fiction, using the Guinness dynasty as a lens to explore power, family, rebellion, and identity. It’s a new city, a new century, and a family that could just as easily make or break itself in the public eye.
The show’s release is not the end of the story. Steven Knight has already announced plans to proceed with a second season, even before Netflix has given the official green light. For those preparing to binge, that’s a reassuring sign that this drama is here to stay. Knight’s previous series, Peaky Blinders, ran for six acclaimed seasons, and there’s every hope that House of Guinness will enjoy similar longevity.
So, is House of Guinness worth your time? If you’re looking for a drama that combines layered family power plays, signature music, and meticulous image-forward storytelling, it’s a resounding yes. Grab a pint, settle in, and prepare to be swept into a world where love, greed, and ambition are as intoxicating as the stout itself.
