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Any Guinness drinker will tell you: the famous Irish stout is meant to be gulped, not sipped. Netflix’s new crime drama “House of Guinness” feels much the same. It’s best consumed in a few quick sittings, but don’t expect it to linger in your system for long.
The series comes from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, and while it lacks a magnetic lead on the level of Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby, it borrows plenty from that same recipe: crime, family conflict, and a backdrop of social corruption. Fans of Knight’s gritty period dramas will feel right at home.
Like its namesake drink, House of Guinness goes down smooth. The problem? Unlike a pint of the black stuff, I didn’t find myself eager to order another once the glass was empty. It’s essentially a soapy melodrama in prestige-TV clothing. Still, if you’re willing to embrace the excess and forgive a few bitter notes, there’s enough flavor to enjoy.
What is House of Guinness about?
The show begins with the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness, the ambitious brewer who transformed his family name into one of the world’s biggest brands. His passing creates a power vacuum, and his four children — Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Ben (Fionn O’Shea) — scramble to carve out influence in both the family business and high society.
But this is 19th-century Ireland, where politics and rebellion are just as volatile as family dynamics. Beyond the Guinness clan, republican agitators, opportunistic relatives, and shady enforcers all circle the brewery’s empire like hawks.
Smooth and soapy
There’s more than a whiff of Succession here: siblings fighting for control, betrayals behind every handshake, and inheritance drama fueling every scene. But let’s be clear — House of Guinness isn’t playing in the same league as HBO’s masterpiece.
The show is strongest when it zeroes in on the uneasy partnership between Arthur, the weary heir reluctant to lead, and Edward, the ambitious brother eager to take Guinness to America. Their forced collaboration (thanks to a clause in Benjamin’s will) leads to sparks — and inevitable disasters.
Anne’s pregnancy storyline provides one of the show’s most affecting emotional beats, while Ben, though underwritten, benefits from O’Shea’s subtle performance. Meanwhile, James Norton adds menace as brewery overseer Sean Rafferty, though his Irish accent wobbles at times. Cameos from Jack Gleeson and the scheming Cochrane siblings add further layers of intrigue.
The problem? There’s too much going on. With a sprawling cast and frequent time jumps, the show often feels rushed — skipping over potentially rich moments. A mid-season election-rigging plot, for instance, ends offscreen, explained away after the fact. Even big set pieces, like a fiery attack on Guinness barrels, are barely given time to resonate before the story barrels on.
Style over substance
Knight tries to modernize the 1800s setting with stylistic flourishes. On-screen captions translate historical sums into modern money (a nice touch), but the soundtrack leans on contemporary Irish bands like Fontaines D.C. and Kneecap. It’s a bold choice, though not always a successful one — the clash between era and music often feels jarring rather than clever.
Should you stream it?
At the end of the day, House of Guinness is more soap opera than prestige drama. But that doesn’t mean it’s not fun. The family politics are entertaining, the pace is brisk enough to keep you clicking “next episode,” and there are just enough juicy twists to keep things interesting.
What it lacks is weight. The storytelling often feels too hurried, and no character emerges as the true centerpiece. Still, Anthony Boyle’s Arthur comes closest to stealing the show.
If you approach it expecting Succession in Ireland, you’ll be disappointed. But if you just want an easy binge filled with frothy family drama, it’ll go down smoothly — even if it doesn’t leave much of an aftertaste.
Verdict: A watchable but watered-down crime drama that entertains in the moment, even if it won’t be remembered in years to come.
Stream “House of Guinness” on Netflix now.
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