Netflix’s House of Guinness marks another ambitious project from Steven Knight, the mastermind behind Peaky Blinders. While Knight is known for his tales of crime, ambition, and moral ambiguity, this latest drama swaps Birmingham gangsters for the world-dominating Guinness family of 19th-century Dublin. And yet, the show retains the same swagger, grit, and dark humor that made his earlier works irresistible.
A Powerhouse Performance by James Norton
At the center of the story is Sean Rafferty, played with magnetic intensity by James Norton. Rafferty is an unstoppable force in the Guinness empire—a manager whose currency is fear and whose charm is dangerously combustible. From rallying company workers to violently suppress a street protest, to walking into a blazing cooperage as if impervious to the flames, Norton’s performance sizzles with charisma. His pheromones practically leap off the screen, making him a captivating anti-hero in a world where brutality and ambition intertwine.
More Than a Historical Crime Tale
Unlike Knight’s Peaky Blinders, the Guinness family are not gangsters—they are the rulers of a beverage empire. But as with any dynasty, wealth and privilege bring their own burdens. The death of the patriarch, Benjamin Guinness, sets the stage for family intrigue. His four adult children, seemingly ill-equipped to inherit the empire, become the focal point of the drama. It’s here that House of Guinness draws comparisons with shows like Succession and The Crown: tragedy doesn’t spare the privileged, and wealth often amplifies pain.
Style, Substance, and Sensory Drama
Knight’s signature style shines throughout. The show blends historical authenticity with cinematic flourishes—rock-infused modern soundtracks, high-octane sequences in the factory, and intricate set design that brings 19th-century Dublin to vivid life. From clanging machinery to hessian sacks and pressure gauges twitching into the red, the industrial world of Guinness feels visceral and alive.
What distinguishes House of Guinness is its ability to balance spectacle with character depth. While Rafferty’s bold, violent persona dominates early episodes, the narrative gradually shifts to the Guinness children, exploring how extreme privilege and a patriarch’s ruthless genius shape their lives. Themes of ambition, greed, family loyalty, and personal failure intertwine, creating a drama that is as emotionally engaging as it is visually stunning.
Verdict
House of Guinness is not just a historical drama; it’s a meditation on power, privilege, and the human cost of ambition. Fans of Steven Knight’s earlier works will appreciate the dark wit, thrilling sequences, and morally complex characters. Even for those unfamiliar with the Guinness dynasty, the show offers enough intrigue, drama, and cinematic flair to captivate audiences.
In short, House of Guinness is a cocktail of history, drama, and indulgence—strong, intoxicating, and impossible to ignore.