House of Guinness

I had high expectations for House of Guinness. Steven Knight, the man behind Peaky Blinders, taking on the legendary Guinness empire? That sounded like a perfect blend of power, family intrigue, and historical flair. And honestly: it all looks stunning. The costumes, 19th-century Dublin, the warm, beer-colored lighting—everything exudes quality. It's just a shame the contents don't always taste as rich as the foamy head suggests.

The series begins after the death of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, when his four children must decide who will run the family business. This immediately creates tension: rivalry, jealousy, and ambition clash in every conversation. Anthony Boyle (Arthur) and Louis Partridge (Edward) excel at this, their sibling rivalry striking that uneasy balance between love and hate. James Norton also impresses as the shrewd outsider who strains family ties.

Yet, I struggled to truly get drawn into the first few episodes. The series takes a long time to get going and simultaneously tries to tell too much: family conflicts, political tensions, romance, religious strife. It's as if Knight was afraid to leave something out. This makes some scenes sound more like theatrics than real-life moments. The dialogue, in particular, sometimes heavy-handed, sometimes strikingly modern, takes away from the atmosphere.

What House of Guinness does well is create a world where power and morality constantly clash. The series sometimes feels like Succession set in the 19th century, but with beer instead of stocks. And once you're halfway through, the story really picks up steam. You're right in the thick of it all: the power struggle, the secrets, the threat of revolution.

All in all, House of Guinness is a beautifully made, entertaining series with strong moments, but also a somewhat uneven tone. It's more spectacle than subtlety, more drama than depth. Still, it's enjoyable viewing, especially if you enjoy historical intrigue with a touch of Peaky Blinders energy.

Personally, I think this is a well-written series; normally, it's not something I'm particularly passionate about. This gives you a glimpse into what life was like back then, and maybe the Guinness Book also counts for something 😉. It reminds me of Peaky Blinders.