House of Guinness rewrites the rules for queer period drama with Arthur Guinness

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It might seem like having a privileged upbringing in one of Dublin’s richest families would simplify things, but that wasn’t the case for Arthur Guinness. At the beginning of the Netflix series House of Guinness, he unexpectedly receives half of the renowned brewing business as the firstborn Guinness child. Although it’s certainly better than being homeless, Arthur remains unenthusiastic about his inheritance.

I’ve always known Guinness as someone who expects things to go his way – he’s pretty headstrong, to be honest. But his father quickly put a stop to that by saying he’d cut him off completely if he didn’t take responsibility and step up. It’s a classic case of heavy lies the crown, isn’t it? The weight of expectation is really getting to him, and it’s a tough situation to watch. He’s realizing that power comes with consequences.

However, taking on this added responsibility also means facing increased attention and judgment. This is particularly challenging for Arthur, as he is gay during a period when revealing this could lead to a life sentence – or even something worse. This situation is far from ideal considering he’s a co-leader of a powerful and wealthy company.

Stuck in Dublin, Arthur ends his relationship with his girlfriend in London, but he still manages to enjoy himself (that memorable bathtub scene is a good example).

Sadly, Arthur’s personal life attracts unwanted attention, specifically from local gangster Bonnie Champion. Bonnie demands £5,000 to keep Arthur’s secrets safe, threatening to expose him if he doesn’t pay. Meanwhile, an activist named Ellen Cochrane also tries to blackmail Arthur, but she isn’t after money. Instead, she wants Arthur to publicly support the Irish Brotherhood’s cause in Dublin’s Parliament.

To distract from his affairs and questionable behavior, Arthur marries Olivia, a wealthy and prominent woman in society. They both enter the marriage with a clear understanding: it’s a business arrangement, not a love match. Each hopes to gain advantages from the union within the circles of high society at this time. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, devoid of romantic feelings.

So far, so typical of queer representation in period dramas of this nature.

Frequently, LGBTQ+ characters are compelled to conceal their true selves, typically to evade mockery or social disgrace. A lavender marriage – a marriage of convenience – is often seen as the only path to safety and survival in a society that doesn’t accept them. It’s a way to avoid persecution and simply exist.

Does the film accurately portray what life was like for gay people during that era? Generally, yes. But does it also fall into the familiar pattern of being overly sad and tragic, a story we’ve seen repeated many times? Yes, it does that as well.

Except, House of Guinness isn’t so typical in this regard.

Given all the difficulties he had to overcome, it would have been understandable if Arthur had succumbed to despair and turned to alcohol to cope with his pain, blaming himself for being gay. That’s what society expected of people like him back then. However, the creator of House of Guinness, Steven Knight, chose not to follow that predictable storyline.

Rather, Arthur finds happiness and fulfillment in his identity as a gay man. He has a vibrant and open sex life, and he is also openly gay with his family, not concealing anything about who he is.

Surprisingly, even the arranged marriage brings him some peace, as he and Olivia find happiness together, even though they both know it’s not a real relationship. Arthur doesn’t feel confined by being married, as he continues to see other men without restriction.

Actor Anthony Boyle discussed this further with Town & Country, praising the show’s distinctive handling of Arthur’s queerness:

Steven, Tom [Shankland] – one of the directors – and I aimed to portray Arthur as someone who wasn’t ashamed of who he was attracted to. The message was that society’s views were the problem, not him. We specifically wanted to avoid the trope of a character who’s self-loathing, like, ‘Oh god, I’m gay and I hate it.’ Instead, we envisioned him confidently saying, ‘No, I’m fg gay and I love it. It’s *you* guys that are fd up.’

Arthur’s life isn’t inherently more difficult because he is gay. The real challenge comes from living in a society filled with prejudice. It’s still encouraging to see this perspective portrayed on television, particularly in historical dramas, where gay characters – like Guinness – are often automatically burdened with guilt, shame, and unhappiness. This approach feels different and refreshing.

As a longtime cinema fan, I think even when queer representation falls into familiar tropes – and let’s be honest, it sometimes does – it’s still a positive thing that it’s *included* in period dramas like House of Guinness. It’s a start, and that’s important, even if it’s not perfect. There’s value in visibility, you know?

Because openly identifying as LGBTQ+ was uncommon in the past, historical accounts often overlook or remove any evidence of queerness – a process called straightwashing. Therefore, it’s particularly noteworthy that House of Guinness portrays this aspect of history so openly, even though it’s still debated whether Arthur himself was gay in reality.

While there’s not much proof to confirm Arthur’s sexual orientation, author Joe Joyce proposed in his 2009 book, The Guinnesses: The Untold Story of Ireland’s Most Successful Family, that he was “probably gay.” If true, his marriage to Lady Ardilaun would likely have been a “lavender marriage”-a marriage of convenience-and this probably influenced how Knight portrayed Arthur in the show.

It’s understandable to question whether depicting a historical person as gay is appropriate if their sexuality isn’t definitively known. However, historical dramas frequently take creative license, and the fact that speculation about Arthur’s identity continues even today suggests there might be *some* basis to those rumors. It’s also worth remembering the many actual LGBTQ+ individuals who have been historically misrepresented as straight in biographies and other accounts of their lives. Consider this when evaluating portrayals.

As a movie lover, I’m really struck by the impact of how House of Guinness presents Arthur as a gay man, especially set in 19th-century Dublin. It’s not *just* that the show takes such a forward-thinking and original angle on his identity, but the very fact that this story *exists* feels important. It’s a powerful reminder that queer people have always been a part of history, and we’ll continue to be, no matter what anyone believes. It’s a beautiful and necessary representation.

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2025-10-01 17:27