Netflix has unveiled a brand-new period drama built around a real-world dynasty. House of Guinness, from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, arrives on the streaming platform this September with a brisk eight-episode run that promises a blend of family power, business empires, and historical intrigue.
Release date and format
House of Guinness will drop on Thursday, September 25, with all eight episodes available to stream on that day.
What the series is about
Set in the 1860s, the show follows the powerful Guinness family at a pivotal moment in their history. The story moves between 19th-century Dublin and New York, beginning in the wake of Sir Benjamin Guinness’s death. His passing and the contents of his will ignite tensions among his four children—Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Ben—and among a network of Dublin figures whose fortunes are tied to the Guinness legacy. Creator Steven Knight notes that Arthur and Edward form the heart of the drama, and viewers will learn why, as the brothers are thrust into a joint stewardship of the world’s largest brewery for reasons that are carefully revealed as the plot unfolds.
Knight’s vision emphasizes ambition and risk: the first priority is not to mess it up, and the second is to expand Guinness even further. The series aims to capture the high-stakes world of a family and a brand that shaped an era, with the cross-Atlantic backdrop offering a rich stage for power plays, loyalty, and legacy.
Cast
The ensemble cast is led by several actors portraying the Guinness siblings and their associates:
– Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness
– Louis Partridge as Edward Guinness
– Emily Fairn as Anne Plunket (née Guinness)
– Fionn O’Shea as Benjamin Guinness
– James Norton as Sean Rafferty
– Niamh McCormack as Ellen Cochrane
– Seamus O’Hara as Patrick Cochrane
– Michael McElhatton as John Potter
– Dervla Kirwan as Aunt Agnes Guinness
– Michael Colgan as Reverend Henry Gratton
– Danielle Galligan as Lady Olivia Hedges
– David Wilmot as Bonnie Champion
– Jessica Reynolds as Lady Christine O’Madden
– Hilda Fay as Sultan
– Ann Skelly as Adelaide Guinness
– Elizabeth Dulau as Lady Henrietta St Lawrence
– Jack Gleeson as Byron Hedges
What to expect and why it matters
House of Guinness is pitched as a prestige drama that fuses historical detail with the modern-day appetite for dynastic storytelling. Fans of Steven Knight’s previous work can anticipate a moody, character-driven narrative with sharp dialogue, complex family dynamics, and the operatic scale often associated with major business empires. The setting—Dublin and New York in the late 19th century—offers lush visuals and opportunities to explore immigration, industry, and the social rank that accompanied immense wealth.
Additional angle and value for readers
– Historical context: The series centers on one of the world’s most famous brands, offering a lens into how a family and a business can shape a city’s identity and fortunes across continents.
– Cross-Atlantic drama: The Dublin-to-New York arc invites comparisons to other era-spanning dramas, while staying rooted in real-life family rivalries and corporate strategy.
– Potential for a rich, cinematic tone: With Knight at the helm, viewers can expect a stylish, tightly paced drama that blends personal stakes with empire-building.
Summary
House of Guinness is Netflix’s September addition that blends authentic 19th-century setting with a modern appetite for family-power storytelling. With a strong cast and Knight’s proven track record for gripping period dramas, the series holds promise as a compelling new obsession for fans of Peaky Blinders and Succession alike, while offering a fresh look at the legacy of one of the world’s most enduring brands. A hopeful note: if executed well, the show could deepen appreciation for the Guinness story and the people who built its legendary name.
Optional note for editors
If you’d like, we can weave in a quick comparison box highlighting how House of Guinness aligns with or diverges from other contemporary prestige dramas, and add a brief “watch this if you like” section for fans of corporate saga narratives.