House of Guinness on Netflix: release date, facts, first reviews

TL;DR:

Netflix released House of Guinness on September 25, 2025.
The drama follows the Guinness heirs after Sir Benjamin’s death in 1868.
Early reviews are mixed to positive, praising style, noting liberties.
Created by Steven Knight, with Ivana Lowell attached, eight episodes total.
If you like Peaky Blinders meets Succession vibes, this is for you.

House of Guinness is a new Netflix historical drama about the Guinness family in 19th century Ireland. It centers on the fallout after brewery patriarch Sir Benjamin Guinness dies, and his four adult children fight for control of the empire and their legacy. The eight episode series premiered on September 25, 2025.

The creator is Steven Knight of Peaky Blinders fame. Producer and co creator Ivana Lowell, a Guinness descendant, is also attached. Directors Tom Shankland and Mounia Akl split the season.

When did it release and where to watch?

Global launch: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Platform: Netflix, streaming now worldwide

The premise in plain English

The story opens with Sir Benjamin Guinness’s death in 1868. His will triggers a succession fight between siblings Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Ben. The plot threads tie family ambition, Dublin politics, labor unrest, and the business stakes at St. James’s Gate Brewery. Expect romance, sabotage, and a few gunshots.

Who’s who in the cast

Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness
Louis Partridge as Edward
Emily Fairn as Anne
Fionn O’Shea as Ben
James Norton in a key supporting role
Additional names round out the Dublin elite, brewery workers, and political agitators.

Quick reference: main players

Character	Actor	Role in the struggle
Arthur	Anthony Boyle	Heir apparent, clever, secretive
Edward	Louis Partridge	Charmer, risk taker
Anne	Emily Fairn	Strategist, family fixer
Ben	Fionn O’Shea	Youngest, eager for respect

Source basis: Netflix cast guide and trade reviews.

Early reviews at a glance

Early critics note high production values, a brisk, sooty style, and some historical liberties.

Variety calls it an intense family drama led by a sharp ensemble.
The Los Angeles Times says it plays loose with facts but goes down smooth once it settles, like a good pint.
The Financial Times highlights the wider Guinness legacy in Dublin, while pointing to the show’s dramatic license.

Tone wise, many see it as a cousin to Peaky Blinders, with courtly settings, clubland intrigue, and street level tension. If you like Succession style family chess in period dress, you will feel at home here.

What’s fact and what’s drama?

The brewery and family are real. Arthur Guinness signed a famous 9,000 year lease for St. James’s Gate in 1759, and later generations, including Benjamin, scaled the operation. The show sets its main conflict after Benjamin’s real life death in 1868, which did spark major change in the business.

Philanthropy is part of the story. The Guinness family funded housing and civic works in Dublin. The Iveagh Trust, founded by Edward Cecil Guinness, still manages thousands of homes today. Expect nods to that legacy on screen.

Dramatic license applies. Critics note invented or amplified subplots and character beats, typical for prestige drama. Treat romances, conspiracies, and some politics as entertainment first.

Episode count and format

Season 1: eight episodes
Genre: historical melodrama with business and political threads
Rating: expect mature themes and violence in places

Why it matters

Guinness is more than a stout. It is a cultural symbol tied to Dublin’s civic history, labor movements, and global brand power. A series like this can revive interest in real history, while shaping how millions think about the family and the city. It also lands as Guinness surges with younger drinkers and renewed U.S. interest.

If you like these, you’ll likely enjoy House of Guinness

Peaky Blinders for its gritty period style
The Crown for dynastic drama
Succession for boardroom battles in family settings
Taboo for smoky, industrial era world building
(Comparisons based on creators and critical notes.)

New viewer checklist

Know the date: the story starts after 1868, in 1860s Dublin.
Track the four siblings and their allies.
Watch the brewery floor scenes for labor and power clues.
Expect politics, not just pints.
Do not sweat perfect accuracy. Enjoy the ride, look up the history after.

Background: the real “houses” of Guinness in Dublin

Beyond the show, the Guinness name is stamped on Dublin’s built environment. The family funded social housing blocks near St Patrick’s Cathedral and other works that shaped the city’s core. That real civic footprint makes a strong counterpoint to the series’ palace intrigue.

What happens next

Netflix has not announced a Season 2. If viewership is strong, renewal is likely given the depth of the Guinness saga, from Irish politics to New York expansion. Keep an eye on Netflix’s Tudum page and trade outlets for updates.

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