House of Guinness review: Hugely entertaining drama is Steven Knight’s best since Peaky Blinders

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Steven Knight is one of the few TV screenwriters who can instantly generate buzz just by joining a project.

While many people still recognize him as the creator of the hugely popular *Peaky Blinders* – with a follow-up movie planned – he’s been actively working on new projects since the series finished.

TV’s most prolific creator is behind a diverse range of shows, including popular historical dramas like SAS Rogue Heroes and A Thousand Blows, as well as some recent series that haven’t quite hit the mark, such as The Veil.

While he’s created many excellent shows, and some have been truly outstanding, most agree that none have surpassed the success of Peaky Blinders. However, his latest project, House of Guinness, comes remarkably close to achieving that same level of brilliance.

This new eight-episode series, now streaming on Netflix, shares similarities with Peaky Blinders. It’s based on real historical events and people, but it’s been updated and dramatized with fictional details and a contemporary style.

Inspired by the life of Ivana Lowell, the story follows the four children of Sir Benjamin Guinness, a famous and influential figure, after his death.

As often happens in stories about wills, no one was pleased with the outcome. The father left joint control of the family business to his sons, Arthur and Edward, with the condition that they must work together or lose their inheritance.

His daughter, Anne, receives a very small inheritance, as it’s assumed her husband will financially support her. Similarly, his son Benjamin, who has struggled with alcohol, doesn’t receive anything from the will.

The show then follows their lives, detailing their careers, love lives, involvement in politics, and family relationships.

The show also features a number of other interesting characters, including Sean Rafferty, played by James Norton. He’s the brewery foreman, a problem-solver for the family, and a bit of an unpredictable force.

Rafferty is arguably the show’s strongest character and really highlights what makes it successful: a willingness to embrace humor and not take itself too seriously.

When I say ‘silly,’ I don’t mean laugh-out-loud funny. Like *Peaky Blinders*, it has its amusing parts, but it’s generally presented seriously, unlike some of Steven Knight’s other, lighter works.

Despite all that, the show also has a playful, mischievous quality, and Rafferty truly embodies that spirit.

Steven Knight frequently creates larger-than-life characters, as he did with Tommy Shelby in *Peaky Blinders* and Paddy Mayne in *SAS Rogue Heroes*. This tendency is particularly prominent in his new series. The trailer opens with a scene where Rafferty is questioned about potential problems at Sir Benjamin’s funeral, and he responds with a characteristic outburst: “The man’s name is Guinness – of course there’s going to be trouble!”

People often talk about the Guinness family and their importance with a lot of grand pronouncements, which is honestly a bit much. But that’s part of what makes it enjoyable. It’s not hilarious, but it’s subtly amusing – and that’s where the show really succeeds.

He strikes a perfect balance – he’s serious enough to make you care about the characters and their problems, but also lighthearted enough to keep things entertaining. This makes the show completely captivating and genuinely enjoyable.

While the story has a good plot with lots of surprises, it’s also based on actual historical events, which sometimes makes the pacing uneven.

The story jumps around in time, and major events sometimes push the plot ahead while also creating setbacks or unexpected twists. This uneven pacing makes the overall story the least compelling part of the series, and can be quite frustrating for viewers.

Ultimately, it doesn’t really detract from the show’s overall quality, because the characters are wonderfully developed and the acting is outstanding.

Rafferty is the clear highlight, and James Norton delivers a truly exceptional performance. The character is perfectly suited for Norton, allowing him to showcase a wide range of traits – he’s both captivating and intimidating, friendly and distant, and ultimately enigmatic. Despite being a complex mix of contradictions, Norton skillfully brings all these elements together into a cohesive and believable portrayal.

But it’s important to also praise the other actors. Anthony Boyle is consistently excellent, creating a character who is often irritating, but still someone we care about.

Louis Partridge delivers a standout performance as Edward, who feels like the show’s most relatable character – we can follow his reasoning even when he makes mistakes. He and Arthur have fantastic chemistry together.

The actors, from Emily Fairn to Fionn O’Shea and Danielle Galligan to Jack Gleeson, are all fully committed to their roles, and each character gets a moment to stand out. While Arthur and Edward drive most of the main plot points, the series still gives everyone a chance to shine.

Okay, look, the Guinness family history itself? Honestly, it’s interesting, but probably won’t grip *everyone*. But as a film and TV fan, what *really* makes this show worth checking out is how it paints a picture of Ireland back then – the politics, the society, everything. That’s the stuff that truly shines.

The character of Ellen Cochrane, an Irish Republican activist (skillfully portrayed by Niamh McCormack), adds depth and expands the themes explored in the series.

This story deepens our understanding of the main characters while also showing us how their choices impact people we’ve come to know, making those consequences feel much more significant.

This is undoubtedly Knight’s most visually impressive work to date. While his productions have always featured strong historical accuracy and detail, this one truly showcases a significant budget. You can see it in everything, from the stunning real-life estates of the Guinness family to the detailed recreations of surrounding towns and even New York City, where Gleeson’s character embarks on a personal journey.

The detailed world-building makes the story feel real and vast, hinting at a rich future for it. Even if the show eventually explores all the stories from the Guinness archives, simply returning to this piece of Irish history and these characters would be enjoyable for many viewers.

The show also uses modern music, which helps it feel current and lively. While some viewers appreciate this choice and the atmosphere it creates, others prefer music that’s more historically accurate and would better transport them to the time period.

Those hoping for a traditional historical drama will be disappointed. This show isn’t that at all – it’s energetic and vibrant, full of colour, excitement, and a surprising amount of contemporary Irish rap.

If you’re familiar with the work of writer Steven Knight, especially if you enjoy the show Peaky Blinders, the storytelling methods he uses in House of Guinness probably won’t feel very new to you.

The author is essentially revisiting familiar territory, using their established strengths and applying them to this new project. And surprisingly, that’s perfectly okay – it actually works quite well.

You can now watch House of Guinness on Netflix, with subscriptions starting at just £5.99 per month. Netflix is also accessible through Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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2025-09-25 11:07