James Norton says House of Guinness has “the DNA” of Peaky Blinders – but explains what makes it unique

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James Norton, known for his role in Happy Valley, will be in a new drama called House of Guinness this week. The series is created by Steven Knight.

Norton portrays Sean Rafferty, a foreman at the Guinness brewery in this historical series. He also acts as a problem-solver for the Guinness family, and the show explores their real-life story.

He’s really at the top of his game. You can feel his passion for the writing, and while it shares a similar style and atmosphere to Peaky Blinders, it’s completely original. His descriptions are incredibly vivid – he sets the scene so well, you can almost see and smell the brewery, and immediately become immersed in the story.

I immediately connected with the vision and understood what he was aiming for. Reading Rafferty’s work, combined with the incredible cast and crew, sealed the deal. Once everything aligned, it was an easy decision.

Norton clearly stated he couldn’t predict the plot twists of the show before reading the scripts.

“No,” he said. “Steven is constantly unpredictable, in that way good writers are.”

He clarified that the show doesn’t rely on a complex plot, and that’s actually what he appreciates most about the writer’s work.

He praised the story’s plot, saying it was full of exciting twists and turns that kept the momentum going. What really stood out to him, though, was the author’s confidence – unlike many writers, he wasn’t afraid to let his characters and dialogue breathe and develop naturally.

You know, as a movie fan, one thing that really struck me was how some scenes, particularly towards the end, were surprisingly long – we’re talking six pages sometimes! It almost felt like watching a play, with just two characters sitting and talking. But somehow, it was totally captivating. I couldn’t look away!

Unlike many writers who rely on dramatic events or fast cuts between scenes, Steven allows the story to unfold at a natural pace, giving the audience time to connect with the characters. He approaches storytelling with the confidence of a playwright, and while the plot is full of exciting twists and turns, he trusts the audience to stay engaged without constant stimulation. There’s a lot to enjoy and discover as the story progresses.

By the end of this, you’ll truly feel connected to these people and understand their lives deeply. You’ll get to know them on a personal level.

Norton described playing the character Rafferty as “wonderful” and said it was “the most fun I’ve ever had.”

He really enjoyed the role, describing the character as incredibly compelling and fun to play. The character was complex and full of contradictions, which made him fascinating. He felt like a puzzle with endless layers to explore, capable of being both frightening and resorting to violence when necessary.

This character is fascinating to me – he’s essentially the boss at the brewery, calling all the shots. But he’s not just a manager; he’s a real problem-solver, and honestly, a little bit intimidating, willing to use force to maintain control. What really surprised me, though, is that underneath it all, he has a strong moral code, earns the respect of everyone around him, and even has this playful, confident side. It’s a really complex and compelling mix of traits.

Our first director, Tom Shankland, really helped me connect with the role. Playing Rafferty is fantastic because he’s so comfortable being himself. He’s a consistently surprising character, and I still feel like I’m discovering new things about him – he’s a bit of an enigma.

The Netflix series, featuring Norton, also includes Anthony Boyle, Louis Partridge, Emily Fairn, and Fionn O’Shea in its cast of eight parts.

Get ready for ‘House of Guinness’ on Netflix starting September 25th, 2025! Subscriptions begin at just £5.99 per month. You can also watch Netflix through Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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2025-09-25 12:34