Netflix’s new historical drama House of Guinness has quickly become a popular show, but it has also started a conversation within the actual Guinness family. While one family member helped create the series, others are speaking out about what they see as an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of their ancestors.
The series, which comes from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is set in 1860s Dublin. It follows the four children of brewing magnate Sir Benjamin Guinness as they battle for control of the family empire after his death. The show is described as a fictional story inspired by true events, a approach that has led to very different reactions from modern-day Guinness descendants.
One Family Member Helped Create the Show
The idea for House of Guinness was born from within the family. Ivana Lowell, a Guinness descendant, executive produced the series. She first thought of adapting her family’s history while watching Downton Abbey with relatives.
“I thought, Oh, our family is so much more interesting and eccentric,” Lowell told The New York Times. “My grandmother Maureen and her two sisters, Aileen and Oonagh, known as the ‘Glorious Guinness Girls,’ could have a whole series based on their outrageous antics.”
Lowell worked with creator Steven Knight, who has said he used historical facts as “steppingstones” and then filled in the gaps himself. Lowell has been clear that the show is a drama, not a documentary, and that Knight was free to invent storylines.
Some Family Members Are Not Happy
Not all members of the family share Lowell’s view. Molly Guinness, the great-great-granddaughter of Edward Guinness, wrote an op-ed for The Times of London calling the Netflix drama “unjust.”
“All the characters come straight from a bingo card of modern clichés about rich people,” she wrote. “Every episode starts with the weaselly old Netflix disclaimer ‘This fiction is inspired by true stories,’ so it’s art—I suppose—and I shouldn’t be a bore. Yet the more I watched, the more indignant I became.”
Molly Guinness specifically objected to the portrayal of the family patriarch, Benjamin, as a callous father, stating that the real Benjamin was loving and philanthropic. She also criticized the show for suggesting that Arthur Guinness was gay, calling it an “invented” plot point.
Fashion designer Daphne Guinness also commented on the show, describing the experience as “surreal” and confirming on social media that she agrees with Molly Guinness’s critical assessment.
Another Voice in the Family Offers Praise
The family response is not entirely negative. Jack Guinness, another descendant, wrote a piece for The Standard praising the series. While he acknowledged the show takes creative liberties, he appreciated its engagement with Irish political and religious tensions.
As a gay man, Jack Guinness also defended the show’s decision to explore Arthur Guinness’s sexuality. He praised House of Guinness for not “straight-washing” history, countering Molly Guinness’s criticism of that particular storyline.
What Is Fact and What Is Fiction in the Show?
The mixed reactions from the family highlight the show’s blend of fact and fiction. According to historical research and the series creators, some elements are grounded in history, while others are created for television.
The core premise is true: The story begins with the death of the real Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1868, leaving his brewery to his children, including his sons Arthur and Edward.
The character Sean Rafferty is fictional: The charismatic and sometimes brutal foreman played by James Norton is not based on a single real person. Ivana Lowell admitted she wanted “a sexy foreman who took off his shirt a lot” in the series.
Arthur Guinness’s sexuality is debated: The show presents Arthur as gay, which creates significant drama due to the laws of the time. Historians do not have definitive proof, but some, like author Joe Joyce, have suggested it was a possibility based on the evidence available.
The Guinnesses were pro-British: The family’s real political stance is accurately reflected. They were staunchly pro-union, meaning they supported British rule in Ireland, as this was beneficial for their business.
The Fenian connection is likely fictional: The show’s plot involving the Guinness brothers interacting with the Irish republican Fenian movement is considered highly unlikely by historians, given the family’s well-documented opposition to Irish nationalism.
Fans and Critics Are Weighing In
The drama has also sparked plenty of discussion among viewers. On review sites, many fans of Peaky Blinders have enjoyed the show’s style and family intrigue, with some describing it as “Succession, but over a booze empire.” However, a common criticism among viewers involves the use of modern music in the historical setting, which some feel ruins the atmosphere.
Critics have generally given the series positive reviews, praising its strong cast and compelling drama, even while noting it may not be Knight’s best work. The Guardian called the show “a romp that you can hardly resist,” while Variety described it as “an engrossing enough saga.”
With the show’s creator, Steven Knight, already planning multiple future seasons, the conversation around the Guinness family’s real history and its television counterpart is likely to continue.
Also Read: House of Guinness Season 2 possible? season 1 recap and everything you need to know
Credits: Screenrant, Esquire, Variety
