The Netflix series House of Guinness, which dropped all eight episodes on September 25, has quickly become a talking point among period drama fans. Created by Steven Knight of Peaky Blinders fame, it dives into the turbulent world of the Guinness family in 19th-century Dublin, following the death of brewery patriarch Benjamin Guinness and the ripple effects on his heirs. Indeed, the show's blend of family intrigue, economic ambition, and Irish history has drawn comparisons to lavish sagas like The Crown, though with a distinctly boozy edge.
At the heart of the ensemble is Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness, the driven eldest son navigating betrayal and power plays. But it's Louis Partridge's portrayal of Edward Guinness that steals scenes with its brooding intensity. Partridge, known from Enola Holmes, brings a vulnerable yet scheming quality to Edward, the second son torn between loyalty to the family empire and personal scandals. His character's arc, marked by risky financial gambles and a forbidden romance, adds layers of moral ambiguity that Knight excels at. Supporting roles shine too: James Norton as a cunning rival brewer, Emily Fairn as the sharp-witted Anne Guinness, and Fionn O'Shea as the youngest, Ben, whose idealism clashes with the brewing dynasty's cutthroat reality. The cast's chemistry feels raw, almost uncomfortably real, underscoring the family's fractured bonds.
However, the real buzz now swirls around season 2. The finale leaves viewers hanging on a shocking betrayal involving Arthur and Edward, hinting at deeper corporate wars and personal reckonings. Knight has teased in recent interviews that more Guinness lore—from real historical expansions to the brand's global rise—could fuel another installment. Netflix hasn't confirmed renewal yet, but strong initial viewership numbers, reportedly in the top 10 globally within days, suggest it's likely. Filming wrapped in Manchester and Dublin last summer, and with the cliffhanger's pull, executives seem poised to greenlight it. Still, in an era of fleeting hits, nothing's guaranteed.
Moreover, the series subtly critiques legacy and inheritance, making Edward's journey a mirror for modern family dynasties. As the dust settles on season one, one wonders if the Guinneses' real thirst for dominance will quench our appetite for more.